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OPERATION MANUAL

DAKOTA ULTRASONICS - MMX-6 MULTI-MODE ULTRASONIC THICKNESS GAUGE

PN P-142-0002 Rev 110 111 January 2008

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Copyright 983209 2008 Dakota Ultrasonics All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced translated into another

language stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any

means electronic mechanical photocopying recording or otherwise

without the prior written consent of Dakota Ultrasonics

Every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this publication

Dakota Ultrasonics assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions

Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of

information contained herein

Any brand or product names mentioned herein are used for identification

purposes only and are trademarks or registered trademarks of their

respective holders

1500 Green Hills 107 Scotts Valley CA 95066 USATel (831) 431-9722 Fax (831) 431-9723

wwwdakotaultrasonicscom

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

OPERATION

THE KEYPAD

THE DISPLAY

THE TRANSDUCER

M AKING MEASUREMENTS

CONDITION AND PREPARATION OF SURFACES

PROBE ZERO C ALIBRATION

SCAN MODE ALARM MODE DUAL-MULTI MODE

RSS232 PORT

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

APPENDIX A PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

APPENDIX B APPLICATION NOTES

APPENDIX C SOUND VELOCITIES OF COMMON M ATERIALS

W ARRANTY INFORMATION

1

2

2

6

8

9

11

1213

18

22

24

28

30

34

36

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DISCLAIMER ndash Very Important

Inherent in ultrasonic thickness measurement is the possibility that the

instrument will use the second rather than the first echo from the back

surface of the material being measured while in standard pulse-echo mode

This may result in a thickness reading that is TWICE what it should be

In addition measurements through very thick paint or coatings while

using echo-echo mode may result in the paint or coating being measured

rather than the actual material intended The Responsibility for proper use

of the instrument and recognition of these types of phenomenonrsquos rest

solely with the user of the instrument

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

1

INTRODUCTION

The Dakota Ultrasonics model MMX-6 is a multi-mode Ultrasonic

thickness gauge Based on the same operating principles as SONAR the

MMX-6 is capable of measuring the thickness of various materials with

accuracy as high as plusmn 0001 inches or plusmn 001 millimeters The principle

advantage of ultrasonic measurement over traditional methods is that

ultrasonic measurements can be performed with access to only one side of

the material being measured The multi-mode feature of theMMX-6 allows

the user to toggle between pulse-echo mode (flaw and pit detection) and

echo-echo mode (eliminate paint or coating thickness)

This manual is presented in three sections The first section covers

operation of the MMX-6 and explains the keypad controls and display

The second section provides guidelines in selecting a transducer for a

specific application The last section provides application notes and a table

of sound velocity values for various materials

Dakota Ultrasonics maintains a customer support resource in order to

assist users with questions or difficulties not covered in this manual

Customer support may be reached at any of the following

Dakota Ultrasonics 1500 Green Hills Road 107Scotts Valley CA 95066 USA

Telephone (831) 431-9722Facsimile (831) 431-9723wwwdakotaultrasonicscom

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Dakota Ultrasonics

2

OPERATION

TheMMX-6

interacts with the operator through the membrane keypadand the LCD display The functions of the various keys on the keypad are

detailed below followed by an explanation of the display and its various

symbols

The Keypad

This key is used to turn the MMX-6 on and off When the gauge is

turned ON it will first perform a brief display test by illuminating all of the

segments in the display After one second the gauge will display the

internal software version number After displaying the version number the

display will show 0000 (or 000 if using metric units) indicating the

gauge is ready for use

The MMX-6 is turned OFF by pressing the ONOFF key The gauge

has a special memory that retains all of its settings even when the power is

off The gauge also features an auto-powerdown mode designed to

conserve battery life If the gauge is idle for 5 minutes it will turn itself off

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

3

The PRB-0 key is used to zero theMMX-6 in much the same way that

a mechanical micrometer is zeroed If the gauge is not zeroed correctly all

of the measurements that the gauge makes may be in error by some fixed

value Refer to page 12 for an explanation of this important procedure

The CAL key is used to enter and exit theMMX-6 s calibration mode

This mode is used to adjust the sound-velocity value that the MMX-6 will

use when calculating thickness The gauge will either calculate the sound-

velocity from a sample of the material being measured or allow a known

velocity value to be entered directly Refer to page 13 for an explanation of

the two CAL functions available

The INMM key is used to switch back and forth between English and

metric units This key may be used at any time whether the gauge is

displaying a thickness (IN or MM) or a velocity value (INmicros or Ms)

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4

The UP arrow key has two functions When theMMX-6 is in calibration

mode this key is used to increase numeric values on the display An auto-

repeat function is built in so that when the key is held down numeric

values will increment at an increasing rate When theMMX-6 is not in

calibration mode the UP arrow key switches the SCAN measurement

mode on and off Refer to page 18 for an explanation of the SCAN

measurement mode

The DOWN arrow key has two functions When theMMX-6 is in the

CAL mode this key is used to decrease numeric values on the display Anauto-repeat function is built in so that when the key is held down numeric

values will decrement at an increasing rate When theMMX-6 is not in

calibration mode the DOWN arrow key switches the display backlight

between three available settings OFF will be displayed when the backlight

is switched off AUTO will be displayed when the backlight is set to

automatic mode and ON will be displayed when the backlight is set to stay

on In the AUTO setting the backlight will illuminate while the MMX-6 is

making a measurement and turn off after several seconds to conserve

battery life

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

5

The ALRM key has two functions By holding down the ALRM key

when powering up the MMX-6 the audible beeper will be turned on or off

accordingly After the unit has been turned on pressing the ALRM key will

toggle the alarm mode to the onoff positions and allow the user to enter a

nominal thickness value Refer to page 19 for details on how to use the

alarm feature

The DUAL-MULTI key is used to toggle pulse-echo ( flaw amp pit

detection ) and echo-echo ( eliminate paint amp coating thickness ) This

enables the user to very conveniently switch between modes depending onapplication requirements Refer to page 20 for a complete explanation of

this feature

The SEND key is used to send the currently displayed thickness

measurement to an external storage device via the MMX-6s RS232 port

Refer to page 22 for an explanation of how to use this feature

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6

The Display

The numeric portion of the display consists of 4 complete digitspreceded by a leading 1 and is used to display numeric values as well

as occasional simple words to indicate the status of various settings

When the MMX-6 is displaying thickness measurements the display will

hold the last value measured until a new measurement is made

Additionally when the battery voltage is low the entire display will

begin to flash When this occurs the batteries should be replaced

These eight vertical bars form the Stability Indicator When theMMX-6

is idle only the left-most bar and the underline will be on While the gauge

is taking a measurement six or seven of the bars should be on If fewer

than five bars are on the MMX-6 is having difficulty achieving a stable

measurement and the thickness value displayed will most likely be

erroneous

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

7

When the IN symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value in

inches The maximum thickness that can be displayed is 19999 inches

When the MM symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value

in millimeters If the displayed thickness exceeds 19999 millimeters the

decimal point will shift automatically to the right allowing values up to

19999 millimeters to be displayed

When the IN symbol is on in conjunction with the micros symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in inches-per-microsecond

When the M symbol is on in conjunction with the s symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in meters-per-second

When the + symbol is on and blinking this indicates that the MMX-6 is

currently operating in echo-echo ( Thru-paintcoating ) mode

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8

The Transducer

The transducer is the business end of the MMX-6 It transmits and

receives ultrasonic sound waves that theMMX-6 uses to calculate the

thickness of the material being measured The transducer connects to the

MMX-6 via the attached cable and two coaxial connectors When using

transducers manufactured by Dakota Ultrasonics the orientation of the

dual coaxial connectors is not critical either plug may be fitted to either

socket in the MMX-6

The transducer must be used correctly in order for the MMX-6 to

produce accurate reliable measurements Below is a short description of

the transducer followed by instructions for its use

This is a bottom view of a typical transducer The two semicircles of the

wearface are visible as is the barrier separating them One of the

semicircles is responsible for conducting ultrasonic sound into the material

being measured and the other semicircle is responsible for conducting the

echoed sound back into the transducer When the transducer is placed

against the material being measured it is the area directly beneath the

center of the wearface that is being measured

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9

This is a top view of a typical transducer Press against the top with the

thumb or index finger to hold the transducer in place Moderate pressure is

sufficient as it is only necessary to keep the transducer stationary and the

wearface seated flat against the surface of the material being measured

Making Measurements

In order for the transducer to do its job there must be no air gaps

between the wear-face and the surface of the material being measured

This is accomplished with the use of a coupling fluid commonly called

couplant This fluid serves to couple or transfer the ultrasonic sound

waves from the transducer into the material and back again Beforeattempting to make a measurement a small amount of couplant should be

applied to the surface of the material being measured Typically a single

droplet of couplant is sufficient

After applying couplant press the transducer (wearface down) firmly

against the area to be measured The Stability Indicator should have six or

seven bars darkened and a number should appear in the display If theMMX-6 has been properly zeroed (see page 12) and set to the correct

sound velocity (see page 13) the number in the display will indicate the

actual thickness of the material directly beneath the transducer

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10

If the Stability Indicator has fewer than five bars darkened or the

numbers on the display seem erratic first check to make sure that there is

an adequate film of couplant beneath the transducer and that the

transducer is seated flat against the material If the condition persists it

may be necessary to select a different transducer (size or frequency) for

the material being measured See page 24

While the transducer is in contact with the material that is being

measured the MMX-6 will perform four measurements every second

updating its display as it does so When the transducer is removed from

the surface the display will hold the last measurement made

IMPORTANT

Occasionally a small film of couplant will be drawn out between the

transducer and the surface as the transducer is removed When this

happens the MMX-6 may perform a measurement through this couplantfilm resulting in a measurement that is larger or smaller than it should be

This phenomenon is obvious when one thickness value is observed while

the transducer is in place and another value is observed after the

transducer is removed

In addition measurements through very thick paint or coatings may

result in the paint or coating being measured rather than the actual materialintended The responsibility for proper use of the instrument and

recognition of these types of phenomenonrsquos rest solely with the user of the

instrument

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12

Probe Zero

Setting the Zero Point of theMMX-6 is important for the same reason

that setting the zero on a mechanical micrometer is important If the gauge

is not zeroed correctly all of the measurements the gauge makes will be

in error by some fixed number When theMMX-6 is zeroed this fixed

error value is measured and automatically corrected for in all subsequent

measurements TheMMX-6 may be zeroed by performing the following

procedure

Performing a Probe-Zero

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on

2) Plug the transducer into theMMX-6 Make sure that the

connectors are fully engaged Check that the wearface of the

transducer is clean and free of any debris

3) The metal probe-disc is on the top end of theMMX-6

Apply asingle droplet of ultrasonic couplant to the face of this disc

4) Make sure that theMMX-6 is in P-E ( pulse-echo mode ) by

pressing the Dual-Multi key to toggle the modes

Note The Probe-Zero feature is not used in Echo-Echo Thru-Paint

mode and has been disabled If the PRB-0 key is pressed while

in this mode ldquonOrdquo followed by ldquoPrb0rdquo will be displayed5) Press the transducer against the probe-disc making sure that the

transducer sits flat against the surface The display should show

some thickness value and the Stability Indicator should have

nearly all its bars illuminated

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13

6) While the transducer is firmly coupled to the probe-disc press the

PRB-0 key on the keypad TheMMX-6 will display Prb0 while it

is calculating its zero point

7) Remove the transducer from the probe-disc

At this point theMMX-6 has successfully calculated its internal error

factor and will compensate for this value in any subsequent

measurements When performing a probe-zero theMMX-6 will always

use the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc even if some other

velocity value has been entered for making actual measurements Though

the MMX-6 will remember the last probe-zero performed it is generally a

good idea to perform a probe-zero whenever the gauge is turned on as

well as any time a different transducer is used This will ensure that the

instrument is always correctly zeroed

Calibration

In order for the MMX-6 to make accurate measurements it must be set

to the correct sound-velocity for the material being measured Different

types of material have different inherent sound-velocities For example thevelocity of sound through steel is about 0233 inches-per-microsecond

versus that of aluminum which is about 0248 inches-per-microsecond If

the gauge is not set to the correct sound-velocity all of the measurements

the gauge makes will be erroneous by some fixed percentage The one

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14

point calibration is the simplest and most commonly used calibration

procedure - optimizing linearity over large ranges The two point

calibration allows for greater accuracy over small ranges by calculating the

probe zero and velocity TheMMX-6 provides three simple methods for

setting the sound-velocity described in the following pages

Note Although theMMX-6 has a thru-paintcoating feature one and two

point calibrations must be performed on material with the paint or coating

removed Failure to remove the paint or coating prior to calibration will

result in a multi material velocity calculation that may be different from the

actual material velocity intended to be measured

Calibration to a known thickness

Note This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material

to be measured the exact thickness of which is known eg from

having been measured by some other means

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed by

ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece making sure that

the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample The

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15

display should show some (probably incorrect) thickness value

and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

8) Press the CAL key again The INmicros (or Ms) symbols should

begin flashing The MMX-6 is now displaying the sound velocity

value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was

entered in step 7

9) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6

is now ready to perform measurements

Calibration to a known velocity

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator know the sound-

velocity of the material to be measured A table of common

materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

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Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

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17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

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24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

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Copyright 983209 2008 Dakota Ultrasonics All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced translated into another

language stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any

means electronic mechanical photocopying recording or otherwise

without the prior written consent of Dakota Ultrasonics

Every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this publication

Dakota Ultrasonics assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions

Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of

information contained herein

Any brand or product names mentioned herein are used for identification

purposes only and are trademarks or registered trademarks of their

respective holders

1500 Green Hills 107 Scotts Valley CA 95066 USATel (831) 431-9722 Fax (831) 431-9723

wwwdakotaultrasonicscom

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

OPERATION

THE KEYPAD

THE DISPLAY

THE TRANSDUCER

M AKING MEASUREMENTS

CONDITION AND PREPARATION OF SURFACES

PROBE ZERO C ALIBRATION

SCAN MODE ALARM MODE DUAL-MULTI MODE

RSS232 PORT

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

APPENDIX A PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

APPENDIX B APPLICATION NOTES

APPENDIX C SOUND VELOCITIES OF COMMON M ATERIALS

W ARRANTY INFORMATION

1

2

2

6

8

9

11

1213

18

22

24

28

30

34

36

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DISCLAIMER ndash Very Important

Inherent in ultrasonic thickness measurement is the possibility that the

instrument will use the second rather than the first echo from the back

surface of the material being measured while in standard pulse-echo mode

This may result in a thickness reading that is TWICE what it should be

In addition measurements through very thick paint or coatings while

using echo-echo mode may result in the paint or coating being measured

rather than the actual material intended The Responsibility for proper use

of the instrument and recognition of these types of phenomenonrsquos rest

solely with the user of the instrument

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

1

INTRODUCTION

The Dakota Ultrasonics model MMX-6 is a multi-mode Ultrasonic

thickness gauge Based on the same operating principles as SONAR the

MMX-6 is capable of measuring the thickness of various materials with

accuracy as high as plusmn 0001 inches or plusmn 001 millimeters The principle

advantage of ultrasonic measurement over traditional methods is that

ultrasonic measurements can be performed with access to only one side of

the material being measured The multi-mode feature of theMMX-6 allows

the user to toggle between pulse-echo mode (flaw and pit detection) and

echo-echo mode (eliminate paint or coating thickness)

This manual is presented in three sections The first section covers

operation of the MMX-6 and explains the keypad controls and display

The second section provides guidelines in selecting a transducer for a

specific application The last section provides application notes and a table

of sound velocity values for various materials

Dakota Ultrasonics maintains a customer support resource in order to

assist users with questions or difficulties not covered in this manual

Customer support may be reached at any of the following

Dakota Ultrasonics 1500 Green Hills Road 107Scotts Valley CA 95066 USA

Telephone (831) 431-9722Facsimile (831) 431-9723wwwdakotaultrasonicscom

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2

OPERATION

TheMMX-6

interacts with the operator through the membrane keypadand the LCD display The functions of the various keys on the keypad are

detailed below followed by an explanation of the display and its various

symbols

The Keypad

This key is used to turn the MMX-6 on and off When the gauge is

turned ON it will first perform a brief display test by illuminating all of the

segments in the display After one second the gauge will display the

internal software version number After displaying the version number the

display will show 0000 (or 000 if using metric units) indicating the

gauge is ready for use

The MMX-6 is turned OFF by pressing the ONOFF key The gauge

has a special memory that retains all of its settings even when the power is

off The gauge also features an auto-powerdown mode designed to

conserve battery life If the gauge is idle for 5 minutes it will turn itself off

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

3

The PRB-0 key is used to zero theMMX-6 in much the same way that

a mechanical micrometer is zeroed If the gauge is not zeroed correctly all

of the measurements that the gauge makes may be in error by some fixed

value Refer to page 12 for an explanation of this important procedure

The CAL key is used to enter and exit theMMX-6 s calibration mode

This mode is used to adjust the sound-velocity value that the MMX-6 will

use when calculating thickness The gauge will either calculate the sound-

velocity from a sample of the material being measured or allow a known

velocity value to be entered directly Refer to page 13 for an explanation of

the two CAL functions available

The INMM key is used to switch back and forth between English and

metric units This key may be used at any time whether the gauge is

displaying a thickness (IN or MM) or a velocity value (INmicros or Ms)

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The UP arrow key has two functions When theMMX-6 is in calibration

mode this key is used to increase numeric values on the display An auto-

repeat function is built in so that when the key is held down numeric

values will increment at an increasing rate When theMMX-6 is not in

calibration mode the UP arrow key switches the SCAN measurement

mode on and off Refer to page 18 for an explanation of the SCAN

measurement mode

The DOWN arrow key has two functions When theMMX-6 is in the

CAL mode this key is used to decrease numeric values on the display Anauto-repeat function is built in so that when the key is held down numeric

values will decrement at an increasing rate When theMMX-6 is not in

calibration mode the DOWN arrow key switches the display backlight

between three available settings OFF will be displayed when the backlight

is switched off AUTO will be displayed when the backlight is set to

automatic mode and ON will be displayed when the backlight is set to stay

on In the AUTO setting the backlight will illuminate while the MMX-6 is

making a measurement and turn off after several seconds to conserve

battery life

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

5

The ALRM key has two functions By holding down the ALRM key

when powering up the MMX-6 the audible beeper will be turned on or off

accordingly After the unit has been turned on pressing the ALRM key will

toggle the alarm mode to the onoff positions and allow the user to enter a

nominal thickness value Refer to page 19 for details on how to use the

alarm feature

The DUAL-MULTI key is used to toggle pulse-echo ( flaw amp pit

detection ) and echo-echo ( eliminate paint amp coating thickness ) This

enables the user to very conveniently switch between modes depending onapplication requirements Refer to page 20 for a complete explanation of

this feature

The SEND key is used to send the currently displayed thickness

measurement to an external storage device via the MMX-6s RS232 port

Refer to page 22 for an explanation of how to use this feature

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6

The Display

The numeric portion of the display consists of 4 complete digitspreceded by a leading 1 and is used to display numeric values as well

as occasional simple words to indicate the status of various settings

When the MMX-6 is displaying thickness measurements the display will

hold the last value measured until a new measurement is made

Additionally when the battery voltage is low the entire display will

begin to flash When this occurs the batteries should be replaced

These eight vertical bars form the Stability Indicator When theMMX-6

is idle only the left-most bar and the underline will be on While the gauge

is taking a measurement six or seven of the bars should be on If fewer

than five bars are on the MMX-6 is having difficulty achieving a stable

measurement and the thickness value displayed will most likely be

erroneous

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

7

When the IN symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value in

inches The maximum thickness that can be displayed is 19999 inches

When the MM symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value

in millimeters If the displayed thickness exceeds 19999 millimeters the

decimal point will shift automatically to the right allowing values up to

19999 millimeters to be displayed

When the IN symbol is on in conjunction with the micros symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in inches-per-microsecond

When the M symbol is on in conjunction with the s symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in meters-per-second

When the + symbol is on and blinking this indicates that the MMX-6 is

currently operating in echo-echo ( Thru-paintcoating ) mode

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8

The Transducer

The transducer is the business end of the MMX-6 It transmits and

receives ultrasonic sound waves that theMMX-6 uses to calculate the

thickness of the material being measured The transducer connects to the

MMX-6 via the attached cable and two coaxial connectors When using

transducers manufactured by Dakota Ultrasonics the orientation of the

dual coaxial connectors is not critical either plug may be fitted to either

socket in the MMX-6

The transducer must be used correctly in order for the MMX-6 to

produce accurate reliable measurements Below is a short description of

the transducer followed by instructions for its use

This is a bottom view of a typical transducer The two semicircles of the

wearface are visible as is the barrier separating them One of the

semicircles is responsible for conducting ultrasonic sound into the material

being measured and the other semicircle is responsible for conducting the

echoed sound back into the transducer When the transducer is placed

against the material being measured it is the area directly beneath the

center of the wearface that is being measured

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9

This is a top view of a typical transducer Press against the top with the

thumb or index finger to hold the transducer in place Moderate pressure is

sufficient as it is only necessary to keep the transducer stationary and the

wearface seated flat against the surface of the material being measured

Making Measurements

In order for the transducer to do its job there must be no air gaps

between the wear-face and the surface of the material being measured

This is accomplished with the use of a coupling fluid commonly called

couplant This fluid serves to couple or transfer the ultrasonic sound

waves from the transducer into the material and back again Beforeattempting to make a measurement a small amount of couplant should be

applied to the surface of the material being measured Typically a single

droplet of couplant is sufficient

After applying couplant press the transducer (wearface down) firmly

against the area to be measured The Stability Indicator should have six or

seven bars darkened and a number should appear in the display If theMMX-6 has been properly zeroed (see page 12) and set to the correct

sound velocity (see page 13) the number in the display will indicate the

actual thickness of the material directly beneath the transducer

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10

If the Stability Indicator has fewer than five bars darkened or the

numbers on the display seem erratic first check to make sure that there is

an adequate film of couplant beneath the transducer and that the

transducer is seated flat against the material If the condition persists it

may be necessary to select a different transducer (size or frequency) for

the material being measured See page 24

While the transducer is in contact with the material that is being

measured the MMX-6 will perform four measurements every second

updating its display as it does so When the transducer is removed from

the surface the display will hold the last measurement made

IMPORTANT

Occasionally a small film of couplant will be drawn out between the

transducer and the surface as the transducer is removed When this

happens the MMX-6 may perform a measurement through this couplantfilm resulting in a measurement that is larger or smaller than it should be

This phenomenon is obvious when one thickness value is observed while

the transducer is in place and another value is observed after the

transducer is removed

In addition measurements through very thick paint or coatings may

result in the paint or coating being measured rather than the actual materialintended The responsibility for proper use of the instrument and

recognition of these types of phenomenonrsquos rest solely with the user of the

instrument

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12

Probe Zero

Setting the Zero Point of theMMX-6 is important for the same reason

that setting the zero on a mechanical micrometer is important If the gauge

is not zeroed correctly all of the measurements the gauge makes will be

in error by some fixed number When theMMX-6 is zeroed this fixed

error value is measured and automatically corrected for in all subsequent

measurements TheMMX-6 may be zeroed by performing the following

procedure

Performing a Probe-Zero

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on

2) Plug the transducer into theMMX-6 Make sure that the

connectors are fully engaged Check that the wearface of the

transducer is clean and free of any debris

3) The metal probe-disc is on the top end of theMMX-6

Apply asingle droplet of ultrasonic couplant to the face of this disc

4) Make sure that theMMX-6 is in P-E ( pulse-echo mode ) by

pressing the Dual-Multi key to toggle the modes

Note The Probe-Zero feature is not used in Echo-Echo Thru-Paint

mode and has been disabled If the PRB-0 key is pressed while

in this mode ldquonOrdquo followed by ldquoPrb0rdquo will be displayed5) Press the transducer against the probe-disc making sure that the

transducer sits flat against the surface The display should show

some thickness value and the Stability Indicator should have

nearly all its bars illuminated

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

13

6) While the transducer is firmly coupled to the probe-disc press the

PRB-0 key on the keypad TheMMX-6 will display Prb0 while it

is calculating its zero point

7) Remove the transducer from the probe-disc

At this point theMMX-6 has successfully calculated its internal error

factor and will compensate for this value in any subsequent

measurements When performing a probe-zero theMMX-6 will always

use the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc even if some other

velocity value has been entered for making actual measurements Though

the MMX-6 will remember the last probe-zero performed it is generally a

good idea to perform a probe-zero whenever the gauge is turned on as

well as any time a different transducer is used This will ensure that the

instrument is always correctly zeroed

Calibration

In order for the MMX-6 to make accurate measurements it must be set

to the correct sound-velocity for the material being measured Different

types of material have different inherent sound-velocities For example thevelocity of sound through steel is about 0233 inches-per-microsecond

versus that of aluminum which is about 0248 inches-per-microsecond If

the gauge is not set to the correct sound-velocity all of the measurements

the gauge makes will be erroneous by some fixed percentage The one

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14

point calibration is the simplest and most commonly used calibration

procedure - optimizing linearity over large ranges The two point

calibration allows for greater accuracy over small ranges by calculating the

probe zero and velocity TheMMX-6 provides three simple methods for

setting the sound-velocity described in the following pages

Note Although theMMX-6 has a thru-paintcoating feature one and two

point calibrations must be performed on material with the paint or coating

removed Failure to remove the paint or coating prior to calibration will

result in a multi material velocity calculation that may be different from the

actual material velocity intended to be measured

Calibration to a known thickness

Note This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material

to be measured the exact thickness of which is known eg from

having been measured by some other means

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed by

ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece making sure that

the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample The

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

15

display should show some (probably incorrect) thickness value

and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

8) Press the CAL key again The INmicros (or Ms) symbols should

begin flashing The MMX-6 is now displaying the sound velocity

value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was

entered in step 7

9) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6

is now ready to perform measurements

Calibration to a known velocity

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator know the sound-

velocity of the material to be measured A table of common

materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

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16

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

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When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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Dakota Ultrasonics

20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

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24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

OPERATION

THE KEYPAD

THE DISPLAY

THE TRANSDUCER

M AKING MEASUREMENTS

CONDITION AND PREPARATION OF SURFACES

PROBE ZERO C ALIBRATION

SCAN MODE ALARM MODE DUAL-MULTI MODE

RSS232 PORT

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

APPENDIX A PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS

APPENDIX B APPLICATION NOTES

APPENDIX C SOUND VELOCITIES OF COMMON M ATERIALS

W ARRANTY INFORMATION

1

2

2

6

8

9

11

1213

18

22

24

28

30

34

36

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DISCLAIMER ndash Very Important

Inherent in ultrasonic thickness measurement is the possibility that the

instrument will use the second rather than the first echo from the back

surface of the material being measured while in standard pulse-echo mode

This may result in a thickness reading that is TWICE what it should be

In addition measurements through very thick paint or coatings while

using echo-echo mode may result in the paint or coating being measured

rather than the actual material intended The Responsibility for proper use

of the instrument and recognition of these types of phenomenonrsquos rest

solely with the user of the instrument

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1

INTRODUCTION

The Dakota Ultrasonics model MMX-6 is a multi-mode Ultrasonic

thickness gauge Based on the same operating principles as SONAR the

MMX-6 is capable of measuring the thickness of various materials with

accuracy as high as plusmn 0001 inches or plusmn 001 millimeters The principle

advantage of ultrasonic measurement over traditional methods is that

ultrasonic measurements can be performed with access to only one side of

the material being measured The multi-mode feature of theMMX-6 allows

the user to toggle between pulse-echo mode (flaw and pit detection) and

echo-echo mode (eliminate paint or coating thickness)

This manual is presented in three sections The first section covers

operation of the MMX-6 and explains the keypad controls and display

The second section provides guidelines in selecting a transducer for a

specific application The last section provides application notes and a table

of sound velocity values for various materials

Dakota Ultrasonics maintains a customer support resource in order to

assist users with questions or difficulties not covered in this manual

Customer support may be reached at any of the following

Dakota Ultrasonics 1500 Green Hills Road 107Scotts Valley CA 95066 USA

Telephone (831) 431-9722Facsimile (831) 431-9723wwwdakotaultrasonicscom

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OPERATION

TheMMX-6

interacts with the operator through the membrane keypadand the LCD display The functions of the various keys on the keypad are

detailed below followed by an explanation of the display and its various

symbols

The Keypad

This key is used to turn the MMX-6 on and off When the gauge is

turned ON it will first perform a brief display test by illuminating all of the

segments in the display After one second the gauge will display the

internal software version number After displaying the version number the

display will show 0000 (or 000 if using metric units) indicating the

gauge is ready for use

The MMX-6 is turned OFF by pressing the ONOFF key The gauge

has a special memory that retains all of its settings even when the power is

off The gauge also features an auto-powerdown mode designed to

conserve battery life If the gauge is idle for 5 minutes it will turn itself off

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The PRB-0 key is used to zero theMMX-6 in much the same way that

a mechanical micrometer is zeroed If the gauge is not zeroed correctly all

of the measurements that the gauge makes may be in error by some fixed

value Refer to page 12 for an explanation of this important procedure

The CAL key is used to enter and exit theMMX-6 s calibration mode

This mode is used to adjust the sound-velocity value that the MMX-6 will

use when calculating thickness The gauge will either calculate the sound-

velocity from a sample of the material being measured or allow a known

velocity value to be entered directly Refer to page 13 for an explanation of

the two CAL functions available

The INMM key is used to switch back and forth between English and

metric units This key may be used at any time whether the gauge is

displaying a thickness (IN or MM) or a velocity value (INmicros or Ms)

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The UP arrow key has two functions When theMMX-6 is in calibration

mode this key is used to increase numeric values on the display An auto-

repeat function is built in so that when the key is held down numeric

values will increment at an increasing rate When theMMX-6 is not in

calibration mode the UP arrow key switches the SCAN measurement

mode on and off Refer to page 18 for an explanation of the SCAN

measurement mode

The DOWN arrow key has two functions When theMMX-6 is in the

CAL mode this key is used to decrease numeric values on the display Anauto-repeat function is built in so that when the key is held down numeric

values will decrement at an increasing rate When theMMX-6 is not in

calibration mode the DOWN arrow key switches the display backlight

between three available settings OFF will be displayed when the backlight

is switched off AUTO will be displayed when the backlight is set to

automatic mode and ON will be displayed when the backlight is set to stay

on In the AUTO setting the backlight will illuminate while the MMX-6 is

making a measurement and turn off after several seconds to conserve

battery life

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

5

The ALRM key has two functions By holding down the ALRM key

when powering up the MMX-6 the audible beeper will be turned on or off

accordingly After the unit has been turned on pressing the ALRM key will

toggle the alarm mode to the onoff positions and allow the user to enter a

nominal thickness value Refer to page 19 for details on how to use the

alarm feature

The DUAL-MULTI key is used to toggle pulse-echo ( flaw amp pit

detection ) and echo-echo ( eliminate paint amp coating thickness ) This

enables the user to very conveniently switch between modes depending onapplication requirements Refer to page 20 for a complete explanation of

this feature

The SEND key is used to send the currently displayed thickness

measurement to an external storage device via the MMX-6s RS232 port

Refer to page 22 for an explanation of how to use this feature

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6

The Display

The numeric portion of the display consists of 4 complete digitspreceded by a leading 1 and is used to display numeric values as well

as occasional simple words to indicate the status of various settings

When the MMX-6 is displaying thickness measurements the display will

hold the last value measured until a new measurement is made

Additionally when the battery voltage is low the entire display will

begin to flash When this occurs the batteries should be replaced

These eight vertical bars form the Stability Indicator When theMMX-6

is idle only the left-most bar and the underline will be on While the gauge

is taking a measurement six or seven of the bars should be on If fewer

than five bars are on the MMX-6 is having difficulty achieving a stable

measurement and the thickness value displayed will most likely be

erroneous

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When the IN symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value in

inches The maximum thickness that can be displayed is 19999 inches

When the MM symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value

in millimeters If the displayed thickness exceeds 19999 millimeters the

decimal point will shift automatically to the right allowing values up to

19999 millimeters to be displayed

When the IN symbol is on in conjunction with the micros symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in inches-per-microsecond

When the M symbol is on in conjunction with the s symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in meters-per-second

When the + symbol is on and blinking this indicates that the MMX-6 is

currently operating in echo-echo ( Thru-paintcoating ) mode

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8

The Transducer

The transducer is the business end of the MMX-6 It transmits and

receives ultrasonic sound waves that theMMX-6 uses to calculate the

thickness of the material being measured The transducer connects to the

MMX-6 via the attached cable and two coaxial connectors When using

transducers manufactured by Dakota Ultrasonics the orientation of the

dual coaxial connectors is not critical either plug may be fitted to either

socket in the MMX-6

The transducer must be used correctly in order for the MMX-6 to

produce accurate reliable measurements Below is a short description of

the transducer followed by instructions for its use

This is a bottom view of a typical transducer The two semicircles of the

wearface are visible as is the barrier separating them One of the

semicircles is responsible for conducting ultrasonic sound into the material

being measured and the other semicircle is responsible for conducting the

echoed sound back into the transducer When the transducer is placed

against the material being measured it is the area directly beneath the

center of the wearface that is being measured

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9

This is a top view of a typical transducer Press against the top with the

thumb or index finger to hold the transducer in place Moderate pressure is

sufficient as it is only necessary to keep the transducer stationary and the

wearface seated flat against the surface of the material being measured

Making Measurements

In order for the transducer to do its job there must be no air gaps

between the wear-face and the surface of the material being measured

This is accomplished with the use of a coupling fluid commonly called

couplant This fluid serves to couple or transfer the ultrasonic sound

waves from the transducer into the material and back again Beforeattempting to make a measurement a small amount of couplant should be

applied to the surface of the material being measured Typically a single

droplet of couplant is sufficient

After applying couplant press the transducer (wearface down) firmly

against the area to be measured The Stability Indicator should have six or

seven bars darkened and a number should appear in the display If theMMX-6 has been properly zeroed (see page 12) and set to the correct

sound velocity (see page 13) the number in the display will indicate the

actual thickness of the material directly beneath the transducer

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10

If the Stability Indicator has fewer than five bars darkened or the

numbers on the display seem erratic first check to make sure that there is

an adequate film of couplant beneath the transducer and that the

transducer is seated flat against the material If the condition persists it

may be necessary to select a different transducer (size or frequency) for

the material being measured See page 24

While the transducer is in contact with the material that is being

measured the MMX-6 will perform four measurements every second

updating its display as it does so When the transducer is removed from

the surface the display will hold the last measurement made

IMPORTANT

Occasionally a small film of couplant will be drawn out between the

transducer and the surface as the transducer is removed When this

happens the MMX-6 may perform a measurement through this couplantfilm resulting in a measurement that is larger or smaller than it should be

This phenomenon is obvious when one thickness value is observed while

the transducer is in place and another value is observed after the

transducer is removed

In addition measurements through very thick paint or coatings may

result in the paint or coating being measured rather than the actual materialintended The responsibility for proper use of the instrument and

recognition of these types of phenomenonrsquos rest solely with the user of the

instrument

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12

Probe Zero

Setting the Zero Point of theMMX-6 is important for the same reason

that setting the zero on a mechanical micrometer is important If the gauge

is not zeroed correctly all of the measurements the gauge makes will be

in error by some fixed number When theMMX-6 is zeroed this fixed

error value is measured and automatically corrected for in all subsequent

measurements TheMMX-6 may be zeroed by performing the following

procedure

Performing a Probe-Zero

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on

2) Plug the transducer into theMMX-6 Make sure that the

connectors are fully engaged Check that the wearface of the

transducer is clean and free of any debris

3) The metal probe-disc is on the top end of theMMX-6

Apply asingle droplet of ultrasonic couplant to the face of this disc

4) Make sure that theMMX-6 is in P-E ( pulse-echo mode ) by

pressing the Dual-Multi key to toggle the modes

Note The Probe-Zero feature is not used in Echo-Echo Thru-Paint

mode and has been disabled If the PRB-0 key is pressed while

in this mode ldquonOrdquo followed by ldquoPrb0rdquo will be displayed5) Press the transducer against the probe-disc making sure that the

transducer sits flat against the surface The display should show

some thickness value and the Stability Indicator should have

nearly all its bars illuminated

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

13

6) While the transducer is firmly coupled to the probe-disc press the

PRB-0 key on the keypad TheMMX-6 will display Prb0 while it

is calculating its zero point

7) Remove the transducer from the probe-disc

At this point theMMX-6 has successfully calculated its internal error

factor and will compensate for this value in any subsequent

measurements When performing a probe-zero theMMX-6 will always

use the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc even if some other

velocity value has been entered for making actual measurements Though

the MMX-6 will remember the last probe-zero performed it is generally a

good idea to perform a probe-zero whenever the gauge is turned on as

well as any time a different transducer is used This will ensure that the

instrument is always correctly zeroed

Calibration

In order for the MMX-6 to make accurate measurements it must be set

to the correct sound-velocity for the material being measured Different

types of material have different inherent sound-velocities For example thevelocity of sound through steel is about 0233 inches-per-microsecond

versus that of aluminum which is about 0248 inches-per-microsecond If

the gauge is not set to the correct sound-velocity all of the measurements

the gauge makes will be erroneous by some fixed percentage The one

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14

point calibration is the simplest and most commonly used calibration

procedure - optimizing linearity over large ranges The two point

calibration allows for greater accuracy over small ranges by calculating the

probe zero and velocity TheMMX-6 provides three simple methods for

setting the sound-velocity described in the following pages

Note Although theMMX-6 has a thru-paintcoating feature one and two

point calibrations must be performed on material with the paint or coating

removed Failure to remove the paint or coating prior to calibration will

result in a multi material velocity calculation that may be different from the

actual material velocity intended to be measured

Calibration to a known thickness

Note This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material

to be measured the exact thickness of which is known eg from

having been measured by some other means

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed by

ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece making sure that

the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample The

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

15

display should show some (probably incorrect) thickness value

and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

8) Press the CAL key again The INmicros (or Ms) symbols should

begin flashing The MMX-6 is now displaying the sound velocity

value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was

entered in step 7

9) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6

is now ready to perform measurements

Calibration to a known velocity

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator know the sound-

velocity of the material to be measured A table of common

materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

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16

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

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24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

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Dakota Ultrasonics

DISCLAIMER ndash Very Important

Inherent in ultrasonic thickness measurement is the possibility that the

instrument will use the second rather than the first echo from the back

surface of the material being measured while in standard pulse-echo mode

This may result in a thickness reading that is TWICE what it should be

In addition measurements through very thick paint or coatings while

using echo-echo mode may result in the paint or coating being measured

rather than the actual material intended The Responsibility for proper use

of the instrument and recognition of these types of phenomenonrsquos rest

solely with the user of the instrument

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

1

INTRODUCTION

The Dakota Ultrasonics model MMX-6 is a multi-mode Ultrasonic

thickness gauge Based on the same operating principles as SONAR the

MMX-6 is capable of measuring the thickness of various materials with

accuracy as high as plusmn 0001 inches or plusmn 001 millimeters The principle

advantage of ultrasonic measurement over traditional methods is that

ultrasonic measurements can be performed with access to only one side of

the material being measured The multi-mode feature of theMMX-6 allows

the user to toggle between pulse-echo mode (flaw and pit detection) and

echo-echo mode (eliminate paint or coating thickness)

This manual is presented in three sections The first section covers

operation of the MMX-6 and explains the keypad controls and display

The second section provides guidelines in selecting a transducer for a

specific application The last section provides application notes and a table

of sound velocity values for various materials

Dakota Ultrasonics maintains a customer support resource in order to

assist users with questions or difficulties not covered in this manual

Customer support may be reached at any of the following

Dakota Ultrasonics 1500 Green Hills Road 107Scotts Valley CA 95066 USA

Telephone (831) 431-9722Facsimile (831) 431-9723wwwdakotaultrasonicscom

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Dakota Ultrasonics

2

OPERATION

TheMMX-6

interacts with the operator through the membrane keypadand the LCD display The functions of the various keys on the keypad are

detailed below followed by an explanation of the display and its various

symbols

The Keypad

This key is used to turn the MMX-6 on and off When the gauge is

turned ON it will first perform a brief display test by illuminating all of the

segments in the display After one second the gauge will display the

internal software version number After displaying the version number the

display will show 0000 (or 000 if using metric units) indicating the

gauge is ready for use

The MMX-6 is turned OFF by pressing the ONOFF key The gauge

has a special memory that retains all of its settings even when the power is

off The gauge also features an auto-powerdown mode designed to

conserve battery life If the gauge is idle for 5 minutes it will turn itself off

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

3

The PRB-0 key is used to zero theMMX-6 in much the same way that

a mechanical micrometer is zeroed If the gauge is not zeroed correctly all

of the measurements that the gauge makes may be in error by some fixed

value Refer to page 12 for an explanation of this important procedure

The CAL key is used to enter and exit theMMX-6 s calibration mode

This mode is used to adjust the sound-velocity value that the MMX-6 will

use when calculating thickness The gauge will either calculate the sound-

velocity from a sample of the material being measured or allow a known

velocity value to be entered directly Refer to page 13 for an explanation of

the two CAL functions available

The INMM key is used to switch back and forth between English and

metric units This key may be used at any time whether the gauge is

displaying a thickness (IN or MM) or a velocity value (INmicros or Ms)

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4

The UP arrow key has two functions When theMMX-6 is in calibration

mode this key is used to increase numeric values on the display An auto-

repeat function is built in so that when the key is held down numeric

values will increment at an increasing rate When theMMX-6 is not in

calibration mode the UP arrow key switches the SCAN measurement

mode on and off Refer to page 18 for an explanation of the SCAN

measurement mode

The DOWN arrow key has two functions When theMMX-6 is in the

CAL mode this key is used to decrease numeric values on the display Anauto-repeat function is built in so that when the key is held down numeric

values will decrement at an increasing rate When theMMX-6 is not in

calibration mode the DOWN arrow key switches the display backlight

between three available settings OFF will be displayed when the backlight

is switched off AUTO will be displayed when the backlight is set to

automatic mode and ON will be displayed when the backlight is set to stay

on In the AUTO setting the backlight will illuminate while the MMX-6 is

making a measurement and turn off after several seconds to conserve

battery life

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

5

The ALRM key has two functions By holding down the ALRM key

when powering up the MMX-6 the audible beeper will be turned on or off

accordingly After the unit has been turned on pressing the ALRM key will

toggle the alarm mode to the onoff positions and allow the user to enter a

nominal thickness value Refer to page 19 for details on how to use the

alarm feature

The DUAL-MULTI key is used to toggle pulse-echo ( flaw amp pit

detection ) and echo-echo ( eliminate paint amp coating thickness ) This

enables the user to very conveniently switch between modes depending onapplication requirements Refer to page 20 for a complete explanation of

this feature

The SEND key is used to send the currently displayed thickness

measurement to an external storage device via the MMX-6s RS232 port

Refer to page 22 for an explanation of how to use this feature

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6

The Display

The numeric portion of the display consists of 4 complete digitspreceded by a leading 1 and is used to display numeric values as well

as occasional simple words to indicate the status of various settings

When the MMX-6 is displaying thickness measurements the display will

hold the last value measured until a new measurement is made

Additionally when the battery voltage is low the entire display will

begin to flash When this occurs the batteries should be replaced

These eight vertical bars form the Stability Indicator When theMMX-6

is idle only the left-most bar and the underline will be on While the gauge

is taking a measurement six or seven of the bars should be on If fewer

than five bars are on the MMX-6 is having difficulty achieving a stable

measurement and the thickness value displayed will most likely be

erroneous

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

7

When the IN symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value in

inches The maximum thickness that can be displayed is 19999 inches

When the MM symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value

in millimeters If the displayed thickness exceeds 19999 millimeters the

decimal point will shift automatically to the right allowing values up to

19999 millimeters to be displayed

When the IN symbol is on in conjunction with the micros symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in inches-per-microsecond

When the M symbol is on in conjunction with the s symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in meters-per-second

When the + symbol is on and blinking this indicates that the MMX-6 is

currently operating in echo-echo ( Thru-paintcoating ) mode

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Dakota Ultrasonics

8

The Transducer

The transducer is the business end of the MMX-6 It transmits and

receives ultrasonic sound waves that theMMX-6 uses to calculate the

thickness of the material being measured The transducer connects to the

MMX-6 via the attached cable and two coaxial connectors When using

transducers manufactured by Dakota Ultrasonics the orientation of the

dual coaxial connectors is not critical either plug may be fitted to either

socket in the MMX-6

The transducer must be used correctly in order for the MMX-6 to

produce accurate reliable measurements Below is a short description of

the transducer followed by instructions for its use

This is a bottom view of a typical transducer The two semicircles of the

wearface are visible as is the barrier separating them One of the

semicircles is responsible for conducting ultrasonic sound into the material

being measured and the other semicircle is responsible for conducting the

echoed sound back into the transducer When the transducer is placed

against the material being measured it is the area directly beneath the

center of the wearface that is being measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

9

This is a top view of a typical transducer Press against the top with the

thumb or index finger to hold the transducer in place Moderate pressure is

sufficient as it is only necessary to keep the transducer stationary and the

wearface seated flat against the surface of the material being measured

Making Measurements

In order for the transducer to do its job there must be no air gaps

between the wear-face and the surface of the material being measured

This is accomplished with the use of a coupling fluid commonly called

couplant This fluid serves to couple or transfer the ultrasonic sound

waves from the transducer into the material and back again Beforeattempting to make a measurement a small amount of couplant should be

applied to the surface of the material being measured Typically a single

droplet of couplant is sufficient

After applying couplant press the transducer (wearface down) firmly

against the area to be measured The Stability Indicator should have six or

seven bars darkened and a number should appear in the display If theMMX-6 has been properly zeroed (see page 12) and set to the correct

sound velocity (see page 13) the number in the display will indicate the

actual thickness of the material directly beneath the transducer

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10

If the Stability Indicator has fewer than five bars darkened or the

numbers on the display seem erratic first check to make sure that there is

an adequate film of couplant beneath the transducer and that the

transducer is seated flat against the material If the condition persists it

may be necessary to select a different transducer (size or frequency) for

the material being measured See page 24

While the transducer is in contact with the material that is being

measured the MMX-6 will perform four measurements every second

updating its display as it does so When the transducer is removed from

the surface the display will hold the last measurement made

IMPORTANT

Occasionally a small film of couplant will be drawn out between the

transducer and the surface as the transducer is removed When this

happens the MMX-6 may perform a measurement through this couplantfilm resulting in a measurement that is larger or smaller than it should be

This phenomenon is obvious when one thickness value is observed while

the transducer is in place and another value is observed after the

transducer is removed

In addition measurements through very thick paint or coatings may

result in the paint or coating being measured rather than the actual materialintended The responsibility for proper use of the instrument and

recognition of these types of phenomenonrsquos rest solely with the user of the

instrument

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12

Probe Zero

Setting the Zero Point of theMMX-6 is important for the same reason

that setting the zero on a mechanical micrometer is important If the gauge

is not zeroed correctly all of the measurements the gauge makes will be

in error by some fixed number When theMMX-6 is zeroed this fixed

error value is measured and automatically corrected for in all subsequent

measurements TheMMX-6 may be zeroed by performing the following

procedure

Performing a Probe-Zero

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on

2) Plug the transducer into theMMX-6 Make sure that the

connectors are fully engaged Check that the wearface of the

transducer is clean and free of any debris

3) The metal probe-disc is on the top end of theMMX-6

Apply asingle droplet of ultrasonic couplant to the face of this disc

4) Make sure that theMMX-6 is in P-E ( pulse-echo mode ) by

pressing the Dual-Multi key to toggle the modes

Note The Probe-Zero feature is not used in Echo-Echo Thru-Paint

mode and has been disabled If the PRB-0 key is pressed while

in this mode ldquonOrdquo followed by ldquoPrb0rdquo will be displayed5) Press the transducer against the probe-disc making sure that the

transducer sits flat against the surface The display should show

some thickness value and the Stability Indicator should have

nearly all its bars illuminated

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

13

6) While the transducer is firmly coupled to the probe-disc press the

PRB-0 key on the keypad TheMMX-6 will display Prb0 while it

is calculating its zero point

7) Remove the transducer from the probe-disc

At this point theMMX-6 has successfully calculated its internal error

factor and will compensate for this value in any subsequent

measurements When performing a probe-zero theMMX-6 will always

use the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc even if some other

velocity value has been entered for making actual measurements Though

the MMX-6 will remember the last probe-zero performed it is generally a

good idea to perform a probe-zero whenever the gauge is turned on as

well as any time a different transducer is used This will ensure that the

instrument is always correctly zeroed

Calibration

In order for the MMX-6 to make accurate measurements it must be set

to the correct sound-velocity for the material being measured Different

types of material have different inherent sound-velocities For example thevelocity of sound through steel is about 0233 inches-per-microsecond

versus that of aluminum which is about 0248 inches-per-microsecond If

the gauge is not set to the correct sound-velocity all of the measurements

the gauge makes will be erroneous by some fixed percentage The one

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14

point calibration is the simplest and most commonly used calibration

procedure - optimizing linearity over large ranges The two point

calibration allows for greater accuracy over small ranges by calculating the

probe zero and velocity TheMMX-6 provides three simple methods for

setting the sound-velocity described in the following pages

Note Although theMMX-6 has a thru-paintcoating feature one and two

point calibrations must be performed on material with the paint or coating

removed Failure to remove the paint or coating prior to calibration will

result in a multi material velocity calculation that may be different from the

actual material velocity intended to be measured

Calibration to a known thickness

Note This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material

to be measured the exact thickness of which is known eg from

having been measured by some other means

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed by

ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece making sure that

the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample The

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

15

display should show some (probably incorrect) thickness value

and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

8) Press the CAL key again The INmicros (or Ms) symbols should

begin flashing The MMX-6 is now displaying the sound velocity

value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was

entered in step 7

9) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6

is now ready to perform measurements

Calibration to a known velocity

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator know the sound-

velocity of the material to be measured A table of common

materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

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16

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

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24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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27

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28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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33

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

1

INTRODUCTION

The Dakota Ultrasonics model MMX-6 is a multi-mode Ultrasonic

thickness gauge Based on the same operating principles as SONAR the

MMX-6 is capable of measuring the thickness of various materials with

accuracy as high as plusmn 0001 inches or plusmn 001 millimeters The principle

advantage of ultrasonic measurement over traditional methods is that

ultrasonic measurements can be performed with access to only one side of

the material being measured The multi-mode feature of theMMX-6 allows

the user to toggle between pulse-echo mode (flaw and pit detection) and

echo-echo mode (eliminate paint or coating thickness)

This manual is presented in three sections The first section covers

operation of the MMX-6 and explains the keypad controls and display

The second section provides guidelines in selecting a transducer for a

specific application The last section provides application notes and a table

of sound velocity values for various materials

Dakota Ultrasonics maintains a customer support resource in order to

assist users with questions or difficulties not covered in this manual

Customer support may be reached at any of the following

Dakota Ultrasonics 1500 Green Hills Road 107Scotts Valley CA 95066 USA

Telephone (831) 431-9722Facsimile (831) 431-9723wwwdakotaultrasonicscom

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Dakota Ultrasonics

2

OPERATION

TheMMX-6

interacts with the operator through the membrane keypadand the LCD display The functions of the various keys on the keypad are

detailed below followed by an explanation of the display and its various

symbols

The Keypad

This key is used to turn the MMX-6 on and off When the gauge is

turned ON it will first perform a brief display test by illuminating all of the

segments in the display After one second the gauge will display the

internal software version number After displaying the version number the

display will show 0000 (or 000 if using metric units) indicating the

gauge is ready for use

The MMX-6 is turned OFF by pressing the ONOFF key The gauge

has a special memory that retains all of its settings even when the power is

off The gauge also features an auto-powerdown mode designed to

conserve battery life If the gauge is idle for 5 minutes it will turn itself off

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

3

The PRB-0 key is used to zero theMMX-6 in much the same way that

a mechanical micrometer is zeroed If the gauge is not zeroed correctly all

of the measurements that the gauge makes may be in error by some fixed

value Refer to page 12 for an explanation of this important procedure

The CAL key is used to enter and exit theMMX-6 s calibration mode

This mode is used to adjust the sound-velocity value that the MMX-6 will

use when calculating thickness The gauge will either calculate the sound-

velocity from a sample of the material being measured or allow a known

velocity value to be entered directly Refer to page 13 for an explanation of

the two CAL functions available

The INMM key is used to switch back and forth between English and

metric units This key may be used at any time whether the gauge is

displaying a thickness (IN or MM) or a velocity value (INmicros or Ms)

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4

The UP arrow key has two functions When theMMX-6 is in calibration

mode this key is used to increase numeric values on the display An auto-

repeat function is built in so that when the key is held down numeric

values will increment at an increasing rate When theMMX-6 is not in

calibration mode the UP arrow key switches the SCAN measurement

mode on and off Refer to page 18 for an explanation of the SCAN

measurement mode

The DOWN arrow key has two functions When theMMX-6 is in the

CAL mode this key is used to decrease numeric values on the display Anauto-repeat function is built in so that when the key is held down numeric

values will decrement at an increasing rate When theMMX-6 is not in

calibration mode the DOWN arrow key switches the display backlight

between three available settings OFF will be displayed when the backlight

is switched off AUTO will be displayed when the backlight is set to

automatic mode and ON will be displayed when the backlight is set to stay

on In the AUTO setting the backlight will illuminate while the MMX-6 is

making a measurement and turn off after several seconds to conserve

battery life

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

5

The ALRM key has two functions By holding down the ALRM key

when powering up the MMX-6 the audible beeper will be turned on or off

accordingly After the unit has been turned on pressing the ALRM key will

toggle the alarm mode to the onoff positions and allow the user to enter a

nominal thickness value Refer to page 19 for details on how to use the

alarm feature

The DUAL-MULTI key is used to toggle pulse-echo ( flaw amp pit

detection ) and echo-echo ( eliminate paint amp coating thickness ) This

enables the user to very conveniently switch between modes depending onapplication requirements Refer to page 20 for a complete explanation of

this feature

The SEND key is used to send the currently displayed thickness

measurement to an external storage device via the MMX-6s RS232 port

Refer to page 22 for an explanation of how to use this feature

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6

The Display

The numeric portion of the display consists of 4 complete digitspreceded by a leading 1 and is used to display numeric values as well

as occasional simple words to indicate the status of various settings

When the MMX-6 is displaying thickness measurements the display will

hold the last value measured until a new measurement is made

Additionally when the battery voltage is low the entire display will

begin to flash When this occurs the batteries should be replaced

These eight vertical bars form the Stability Indicator When theMMX-6

is idle only the left-most bar and the underline will be on While the gauge

is taking a measurement six or seven of the bars should be on If fewer

than five bars are on the MMX-6 is having difficulty achieving a stable

measurement and the thickness value displayed will most likely be

erroneous

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

7

When the IN symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value in

inches The maximum thickness that can be displayed is 19999 inches

When the MM symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value

in millimeters If the displayed thickness exceeds 19999 millimeters the

decimal point will shift automatically to the right allowing values up to

19999 millimeters to be displayed

When the IN symbol is on in conjunction with the micros symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in inches-per-microsecond

When the M symbol is on in conjunction with the s symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in meters-per-second

When the + symbol is on and blinking this indicates that the MMX-6 is

currently operating in echo-echo ( Thru-paintcoating ) mode

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Dakota Ultrasonics

8

The Transducer

The transducer is the business end of the MMX-6 It transmits and

receives ultrasonic sound waves that theMMX-6 uses to calculate the

thickness of the material being measured The transducer connects to the

MMX-6 via the attached cable and two coaxial connectors When using

transducers manufactured by Dakota Ultrasonics the orientation of the

dual coaxial connectors is not critical either plug may be fitted to either

socket in the MMX-6

The transducer must be used correctly in order for the MMX-6 to

produce accurate reliable measurements Below is a short description of

the transducer followed by instructions for its use

This is a bottom view of a typical transducer The two semicircles of the

wearface are visible as is the barrier separating them One of the

semicircles is responsible for conducting ultrasonic sound into the material

being measured and the other semicircle is responsible for conducting the

echoed sound back into the transducer When the transducer is placed

against the material being measured it is the area directly beneath the

center of the wearface that is being measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

9

This is a top view of a typical transducer Press against the top with the

thumb or index finger to hold the transducer in place Moderate pressure is

sufficient as it is only necessary to keep the transducer stationary and the

wearface seated flat against the surface of the material being measured

Making Measurements

In order for the transducer to do its job there must be no air gaps

between the wear-face and the surface of the material being measured

This is accomplished with the use of a coupling fluid commonly called

couplant This fluid serves to couple or transfer the ultrasonic sound

waves from the transducer into the material and back again Beforeattempting to make a measurement a small amount of couplant should be

applied to the surface of the material being measured Typically a single

droplet of couplant is sufficient

After applying couplant press the transducer (wearface down) firmly

against the area to be measured The Stability Indicator should have six or

seven bars darkened and a number should appear in the display If theMMX-6 has been properly zeroed (see page 12) and set to the correct

sound velocity (see page 13) the number in the display will indicate the

actual thickness of the material directly beneath the transducer

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10

If the Stability Indicator has fewer than five bars darkened or the

numbers on the display seem erratic first check to make sure that there is

an adequate film of couplant beneath the transducer and that the

transducer is seated flat against the material If the condition persists it

may be necessary to select a different transducer (size or frequency) for

the material being measured See page 24

While the transducer is in contact with the material that is being

measured the MMX-6 will perform four measurements every second

updating its display as it does so When the transducer is removed from

the surface the display will hold the last measurement made

IMPORTANT

Occasionally a small film of couplant will be drawn out between the

transducer and the surface as the transducer is removed When this

happens the MMX-6 may perform a measurement through this couplantfilm resulting in a measurement that is larger or smaller than it should be

This phenomenon is obvious when one thickness value is observed while

the transducer is in place and another value is observed after the

transducer is removed

In addition measurements through very thick paint or coatings may

result in the paint or coating being measured rather than the actual materialintended The responsibility for proper use of the instrument and

recognition of these types of phenomenonrsquos rest solely with the user of the

instrument

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12

Probe Zero

Setting the Zero Point of theMMX-6 is important for the same reason

that setting the zero on a mechanical micrometer is important If the gauge

is not zeroed correctly all of the measurements the gauge makes will be

in error by some fixed number When theMMX-6 is zeroed this fixed

error value is measured and automatically corrected for in all subsequent

measurements TheMMX-6 may be zeroed by performing the following

procedure

Performing a Probe-Zero

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on

2) Plug the transducer into theMMX-6 Make sure that the

connectors are fully engaged Check that the wearface of the

transducer is clean and free of any debris

3) The metal probe-disc is on the top end of theMMX-6

Apply asingle droplet of ultrasonic couplant to the face of this disc

4) Make sure that theMMX-6 is in P-E ( pulse-echo mode ) by

pressing the Dual-Multi key to toggle the modes

Note The Probe-Zero feature is not used in Echo-Echo Thru-Paint

mode and has been disabled If the PRB-0 key is pressed while

in this mode ldquonOrdquo followed by ldquoPrb0rdquo will be displayed5) Press the transducer against the probe-disc making sure that the

transducer sits flat against the surface The display should show

some thickness value and the Stability Indicator should have

nearly all its bars illuminated

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

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6) While the transducer is firmly coupled to the probe-disc press the

PRB-0 key on the keypad TheMMX-6 will display Prb0 while it

is calculating its zero point

7) Remove the transducer from the probe-disc

At this point theMMX-6 has successfully calculated its internal error

factor and will compensate for this value in any subsequent

measurements When performing a probe-zero theMMX-6 will always

use the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc even if some other

velocity value has been entered for making actual measurements Though

the MMX-6 will remember the last probe-zero performed it is generally a

good idea to perform a probe-zero whenever the gauge is turned on as

well as any time a different transducer is used This will ensure that the

instrument is always correctly zeroed

Calibration

In order for the MMX-6 to make accurate measurements it must be set

to the correct sound-velocity for the material being measured Different

types of material have different inherent sound-velocities For example thevelocity of sound through steel is about 0233 inches-per-microsecond

versus that of aluminum which is about 0248 inches-per-microsecond If

the gauge is not set to the correct sound-velocity all of the measurements

the gauge makes will be erroneous by some fixed percentage The one

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Dakota Ultrasonics

14

point calibration is the simplest and most commonly used calibration

procedure - optimizing linearity over large ranges The two point

calibration allows for greater accuracy over small ranges by calculating the

probe zero and velocity TheMMX-6 provides three simple methods for

setting the sound-velocity described in the following pages

Note Although theMMX-6 has a thru-paintcoating feature one and two

point calibrations must be performed on material with the paint or coating

removed Failure to remove the paint or coating prior to calibration will

result in a multi material velocity calculation that may be different from the

actual material velocity intended to be measured

Calibration to a known thickness

Note This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material

to be measured the exact thickness of which is known eg from

having been measured by some other means

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed by

ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece making sure that

the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample The

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

15

display should show some (probably incorrect) thickness value

and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

8) Press the CAL key again The INmicros (or Ms) symbols should

begin flashing The MMX-6 is now displaying the sound velocity

value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was

entered in step 7

9) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6

is now ready to perform measurements

Calibration to a known velocity

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator know the sound-

velocity of the material to be measured A table of common

materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

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16

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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Dakota Ultrasonics

18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

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When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

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24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

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2

OPERATION

TheMMX-6

interacts with the operator through the membrane keypadand the LCD display The functions of the various keys on the keypad are

detailed below followed by an explanation of the display and its various

symbols

The Keypad

This key is used to turn the MMX-6 on and off When the gauge is

turned ON it will first perform a brief display test by illuminating all of the

segments in the display After one second the gauge will display the

internal software version number After displaying the version number the

display will show 0000 (or 000 if using metric units) indicating the

gauge is ready for use

The MMX-6 is turned OFF by pressing the ONOFF key The gauge

has a special memory that retains all of its settings even when the power is

off The gauge also features an auto-powerdown mode designed to

conserve battery life If the gauge is idle for 5 minutes it will turn itself off

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

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The PRB-0 key is used to zero theMMX-6 in much the same way that

a mechanical micrometer is zeroed If the gauge is not zeroed correctly all

of the measurements that the gauge makes may be in error by some fixed

value Refer to page 12 for an explanation of this important procedure

The CAL key is used to enter and exit theMMX-6 s calibration mode

This mode is used to adjust the sound-velocity value that the MMX-6 will

use when calculating thickness The gauge will either calculate the sound-

velocity from a sample of the material being measured or allow a known

velocity value to be entered directly Refer to page 13 for an explanation of

the two CAL functions available

The INMM key is used to switch back and forth between English and

metric units This key may be used at any time whether the gauge is

displaying a thickness (IN or MM) or a velocity value (INmicros or Ms)

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4

The UP arrow key has two functions When theMMX-6 is in calibration

mode this key is used to increase numeric values on the display An auto-

repeat function is built in so that when the key is held down numeric

values will increment at an increasing rate When theMMX-6 is not in

calibration mode the UP arrow key switches the SCAN measurement

mode on and off Refer to page 18 for an explanation of the SCAN

measurement mode

The DOWN arrow key has two functions When theMMX-6 is in the

CAL mode this key is used to decrease numeric values on the display Anauto-repeat function is built in so that when the key is held down numeric

values will decrement at an increasing rate When theMMX-6 is not in

calibration mode the DOWN arrow key switches the display backlight

between three available settings OFF will be displayed when the backlight

is switched off AUTO will be displayed when the backlight is set to

automatic mode and ON will be displayed when the backlight is set to stay

on In the AUTO setting the backlight will illuminate while the MMX-6 is

making a measurement and turn off after several seconds to conserve

battery life

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

5

The ALRM key has two functions By holding down the ALRM key

when powering up the MMX-6 the audible beeper will be turned on or off

accordingly After the unit has been turned on pressing the ALRM key will

toggle the alarm mode to the onoff positions and allow the user to enter a

nominal thickness value Refer to page 19 for details on how to use the

alarm feature

The DUAL-MULTI key is used to toggle pulse-echo ( flaw amp pit

detection ) and echo-echo ( eliminate paint amp coating thickness ) This

enables the user to very conveniently switch between modes depending onapplication requirements Refer to page 20 for a complete explanation of

this feature

The SEND key is used to send the currently displayed thickness

measurement to an external storage device via the MMX-6s RS232 port

Refer to page 22 for an explanation of how to use this feature

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6

The Display

The numeric portion of the display consists of 4 complete digitspreceded by a leading 1 and is used to display numeric values as well

as occasional simple words to indicate the status of various settings

When the MMX-6 is displaying thickness measurements the display will

hold the last value measured until a new measurement is made

Additionally when the battery voltage is low the entire display will

begin to flash When this occurs the batteries should be replaced

These eight vertical bars form the Stability Indicator When theMMX-6

is idle only the left-most bar and the underline will be on While the gauge

is taking a measurement six or seven of the bars should be on If fewer

than five bars are on the MMX-6 is having difficulty achieving a stable

measurement and the thickness value displayed will most likely be

erroneous

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When the IN symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value in

inches The maximum thickness that can be displayed is 19999 inches

When the MM symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value

in millimeters If the displayed thickness exceeds 19999 millimeters the

decimal point will shift automatically to the right allowing values up to

19999 millimeters to be displayed

When the IN symbol is on in conjunction with the micros symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in inches-per-microsecond

When the M symbol is on in conjunction with the s symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in meters-per-second

When the + symbol is on and blinking this indicates that the MMX-6 is

currently operating in echo-echo ( Thru-paintcoating ) mode

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8

The Transducer

The transducer is the business end of the MMX-6 It transmits and

receives ultrasonic sound waves that theMMX-6 uses to calculate the

thickness of the material being measured The transducer connects to the

MMX-6 via the attached cable and two coaxial connectors When using

transducers manufactured by Dakota Ultrasonics the orientation of the

dual coaxial connectors is not critical either plug may be fitted to either

socket in the MMX-6

The transducer must be used correctly in order for the MMX-6 to

produce accurate reliable measurements Below is a short description of

the transducer followed by instructions for its use

This is a bottom view of a typical transducer The two semicircles of the

wearface are visible as is the barrier separating them One of the

semicircles is responsible for conducting ultrasonic sound into the material

being measured and the other semicircle is responsible for conducting the

echoed sound back into the transducer When the transducer is placed

against the material being measured it is the area directly beneath the

center of the wearface that is being measured

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This is a top view of a typical transducer Press against the top with the

thumb or index finger to hold the transducer in place Moderate pressure is

sufficient as it is only necessary to keep the transducer stationary and the

wearface seated flat against the surface of the material being measured

Making Measurements

In order for the transducer to do its job there must be no air gaps

between the wear-face and the surface of the material being measured

This is accomplished with the use of a coupling fluid commonly called

couplant This fluid serves to couple or transfer the ultrasonic sound

waves from the transducer into the material and back again Beforeattempting to make a measurement a small amount of couplant should be

applied to the surface of the material being measured Typically a single

droplet of couplant is sufficient

After applying couplant press the transducer (wearface down) firmly

against the area to be measured The Stability Indicator should have six or

seven bars darkened and a number should appear in the display If theMMX-6 has been properly zeroed (see page 12) and set to the correct

sound velocity (see page 13) the number in the display will indicate the

actual thickness of the material directly beneath the transducer

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10

If the Stability Indicator has fewer than five bars darkened or the

numbers on the display seem erratic first check to make sure that there is

an adequate film of couplant beneath the transducer and that the

transducer is seated flat against the material If the condition persists it

may be necessary to select a different transducer (size or frequency) for

the material being measured See page 24

While the transducer is in contact with the material that is being

measured the MMX-6 will perform four measurements every second

updating its display as it does so When the transducer is removed from

the surface the display will hold the last measurement made

IMPORTANT

Occasionally a small film of couplant will be drawn out between the

transducer and the surface as the transducer is removed When this

happens the MMX-6 may perform a measurement through this couplantfilm resulting in a measurement that is larger or smaller than it should be

This phenomenon is obvious when one thickness value is observed while

the transducer is in place and another value is observed after the

transducer is removed

In addition measurements through very thick paint or coatings may

result in the paint or coating being measured rather than the actual materialintended The responsibility for proper use of the instrument and

recognition of these types of phenomenonrsquos rest solely with the user of the

instrument

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12

Probe Zero

Setting the Zero Point of theMMX-6 is important for the same reason

that setting the zero on a mechanical micrometer is important If the gauge

is not zeroed correctly all of the measurements the gauge makes will be

in error by some fixed number When theMMX-6 is zeroed this fixed

error value is measured and automatically corrected for in all subsequent

measurements TheMMX-6 may be zeroed by performing the following

procedure

Performing a Probe-Zero

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on

2) Plug the transducer into theMMX-6 Make sure that the

connectors are fully engaged Check that the wearface of the

transducer is clean and free of any debris

3) The metal probe-disc is on the top end of theMMX-6

Apply asingle droplet of ultrasonic couplant to the face of this disc

4) Make sure that theMMX-6 is in P-E ( pulse-echo mode ) by

pressing the Dual-Multi key to toggle the modes

Note The Probe-Zero feature is not used in Echo-Echo Thru-Paint

mode and has been disabled If the PRB-0 key is pressed while

in this mode ldquonOrdquo followed by ldquoPrb0rdquo will be displayed5) Press the transducer against the probe-disc making sure that the

transducer sits flat against the surface The display should show

some thickness value and the Stability Indicator should have

nearly all its bars illuminated

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

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6) While the transducer is firmly coupled to the probe-disc press the

PRB-0 key on the keypad TheMMX-6 will display Prb0 while it

is calculating its zero point

7) Remove the transducer from the probe-disc

At this point theMMX-6 has successfully calculated its internal error

factor and will compensate for this value in any subsequent

measurements When performing a probe-zero theMMX-6 will always

use the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc even if some other

velocity value has been entered for making actual measurements Though

the MMX-6 will remember the last probe-zero performed it is generally a

good idea to perform a probe-zero whenever the gauge is turned on as

well as any time a different transducer is used This will ensure that the

instrument is always correctly zeroed

Calibration

In order for the MMX-6 to make accurate measurements it must be set

to the correct sound-velocity for the material being measured Different

types of material have different inherent sound-velocities For example thevelocity of sound through steel is about 0233 inches-per-microsecond

versus that of aluminum which is about 0248 inches-per-microsecond If

the gauge is not set to the correct sound-velocity all of the measurements

the gauge makes will be erroneous by some fixed percentage The one

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14

point calibration is the simplest and most commonly used calibration

procedure - optimizing linearity over large ranges The two point

calibration allows for greater accuracy over small ranges by calculating the

probe zero and velocity TheMMX-6 provides three simple methods for

setting the sound-velocity described in the following pages

Note Although theMMX-6 has a thru-paintcoating feature one and two

point calibrations must be performed on material with the paint or coating

removed Failure to remove the paint or coating prior to calibration will

result in a multi material velocity calculation that may be different from the

actual material velocity intended to be measured

Calibration to a known thickness

Note This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material

to be measured the exact thickness of which is known eg from

having been measured by some other means

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed by

ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece making sure that

the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample The

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

15

display should show some (probably incorrect) thickness value

and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

8) Press the CAL key again The INmicros (or Ms) symbols should

begin flashing The MMX-6 is now displaying the sound velocity

value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was

entered in step 7

9) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6

is now ready to perform measurements

Calibration to a known velocity

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator know the sound-

velocity of the material to be measured A table of common

materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

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Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

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24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

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The PRB-0 key is used to zero theMMX-6 in much the same way that

a mechanical micrometer is zeroed If the gauge is not zeroed correctly all

of the measurements that the gauge makes may be in error by some fixed

value Refer to page 12 for an explanation of this important procedure

The CAL key is used to enter and exit theMMX-6 s calibration mode

This mode is used to adjust the sound-velocity value that the MMX-6 will

use when calculating thickness The gauge will either calculate the sound-

velocity from a sample of the material being measured or allow a known

velocity value to be entered directly Refer to page 13 for an explanation of

the two CAL functions available

The INMM key is used to switch back and forth between English and

metric units This key may be used at any time whether the gauge is

displaying a thickness (IN or MM) or a velocity value (INmicros or Ms)

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The UP arrow key has two functions When theMMX-6 is in calibration

mode this key is used to increase numeric values on the display An auto-

repeat function is built in so that when the key is held down numeric

values will increment at an increasing rate When theMMX-6 is not in

calibration mode the UP arrow key switches the SCAN measurement

mode on and off Refer to page 18 for an explanation of the SCAN

measurement mode

The DOWN arrow key has two functions When theMMX-6 is in the

CAL mode this key is used to decrease numeric values on the display Anauto-repeat function is built in so that when the key is held down numeric

values will decrement at an increasing rate When theMMX-6 is not in

calibration mode the DOWN arrow key switches the display backlight

between three available settings OFF will be displayed when the backlight

is switched off AUTO will be displayed when the backlight is set to

automatic mode and ON will be displayed when the backlight is set to stay

on In the AUTO setting the backlight will illuminate while the MMX-6 is

making a measurement and turn off after several seconds to conserve

battery life

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

5

The ALRM key has two functions By holding down the ALRM key

when powering up the MMX-6 the audible beeper will be turned on or off

accordingly After the unit has been turned on pressing the ALRM key will

toggle the alarm mode to the onoff positions and allow the user to enter a

nominal thickness value Refer to page 19 for details on how to use the

alarm feature

The DUAL-MULTI key is used to toggle pulse-echo ( flaw amp pit

detection ) and echo-echo ( eliminate paint amp coating thickness ) This

enables the user to very conveniently switch between modes depending onapplication requirements Refer to page 20 for a complete explanation of

this feature

The SEND key is used to send the currently displayed thickness

measurement to an external storage device via the MMX-6s RS232 port

Refer to page 22 for an explanation of how to use this feature

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6

The Display

The numeric portion of the display consists of 4 complete digitspreceded by a leading 1 and is used to display numeric values as well

as occasional simple words to indicate the status of various settings

When the MMX-6 is displaying thickness measurements the display will

hold the last value measured until a new measurement is made

Additionally when the battery voltage is low the entire display will

begin to flash When this occurs the batteries should be replaced

These eight vertical bars form the Stability Indicator When theMMX-6

is idle only the left-most bar and the underline will be on While the gauge

is taking a measurement six or seven of the bars should be on If fewer

than five bars are on the MMX-6 is having difficulty achieving a stable

measurement and the thickness value displayed will most likely be

erroneous

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When the IN symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value in

inches The maximum thickness that can be displayed is 19999 inches

When the MM symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value

in millimeters If the displayed thickness exceeds 19999 millimeters the

decimal point will shift automatically to the right allowing values up to

19999 millimeters to be displayed

When the IN symbol is on in conjunction with the micros symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in inches-per-microsecond

When the M symbol is on in conjunction with the s symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in meters-per-second

When the + symbol is on and blinking this indicates that the MMX-6 is

currently operating in echo-echo ( Thru-paintcoating ) mode

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8

The Transducer

The transducer is the business end of the MMX-6 It transmits and

receives ultrasonic sound waves that theMMX-6 uses to calculate the

thickness of the material being measured The transducer connects to the

MMX-6 via the attached cable and two coaxial connectors When using

transducers manufactured by Dakota Ultrasonics the orientation of the

dual coaxial connectors is not critical either plug may be fitted to either

socket in the MMX-6

The transducer must be used correctly in order for the MMX-6 to

produce accurate reliable measurements Below is a short description of

the transducer followed by instructions for its use

This is a bottom view of a typical transducer The two semicircles of the

wearface are visible as is the barrier separating them One of the

semicircles is responsible for conducting ultrasonic sound into the material

being measured and the other semicircle is responsible for conducting the

echoed sound back into the transducer When the transducer is placed

against the material being measured it is the area directly beneath the

center of the wearface that is being measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

9

This is a top view of a typical transducer Press against the top with the

thumb or index finger to hold the transducer in place Moderate pressure is

sufficient as it is only necessary to keep the transducer stationary and the

wearface seated flat against the surface of the material being measured

Making Measurements

In order for the transducer to do its job there must be no air gaps

between the wear-face and the surface of the material being measured

This is accomplished with the use of a coupling fluid commonly called

couplant This fluid serves to couple or transfer the ultrasonic sound

waves from the transducer into the material and back again Beforeattempting to make a measurement a small amount of couplant should be

applied to the surface of the material being measured Typically a single

droplet of couplant is sufficient

After applying couplant press the transducer (wearface down) firmly

against the area to be measured The Stability Indicator should have six or

seven bars darkened and a number should appear in the display If theMMX-6 has been properly zeroed (see page 12) and set to the correct

sound velocity (see page 13) the number in the display will indicate the

actual thickness of the material directly beneath the transducer

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10

If the Stability Indicator has fewer than five bars darkened or the

numbers on the display seem erratic first check to make sure that there is

an adequate film of couplant beneath the transducer and that the

transducer is seated flat against the material If the condition persists it

may be necessary to select a different transducer (size or frequency) for

the material being measured See page 24

While the transducer is in contact with the material that is being

measured the MMX-6 will perform four measurements every second

updating its display as it does so When the transducer is removed from

the surface the display will hold the last measurement made

IMPORTANT

Occasionally a small film of couplant will be drawn out between the

transducer and the surface as the transducer is removed When this

happens the MMX-6 may perform a measurement through this couplantfilm resulting in a measurement that is larger or smaller than it should be

This phenomenon is obvious when one thickness value is observed while

the transducer is in place and another value is observed after the

transducer is removed

In addition measurements through very thick paint or coatings may

result in the paint or coating being measured rather than the actual materialintended The responsibility for proper use of the instrument and

recognition of these types of phenomenonrsquos rest solely with the user of the

instrument

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12

Probe Zero

Setting the Zero Point of theMMX-6 is important for the same reason

that setting the zero on a mechanical micrometer is important If the gauge

is not zeroed correctly all of the measurements the gauge makes will be

in error by some fixed number When theMMX-6 is zeroed this fixed

error value is measured and automatically corrected for in all subsequent

measurements TheMMX-6 may be zeroed by performing the following

procedure

Performing a Probe-Zero

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on

2) Plug the transducer into theMMX-6 Make sure that the

connectors are fully engaged Check that the wearface of the

transducer is clean and free of any debris

3) The metal probe-disc is on the top end of theMMX-6

Apply asingle droplet of ultrasonic couplant to the face of this disc

4) Make sure that theMMX-6 is in P-E ( pulse-echo mode ) by

pressing the Dual-Multi key to toggle the modes

Note The Probe-Zero feature is not used in Echo-Echo Thru-Paint

mode and has been disabled If the PRB-0 key is pressed while

in this mode ldquonOrdquo followed by ldquoPrb0rdquo will be displayed5) Press the transducer against the probe-disc making sure that the

transducer sits flat against the surface The display should show

some thickness value and the Stability Indicator should have

nearly all its bars illuminated

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

13

6) While the transducer is firmly coupled to the probe-disc press the

PRB-0 key on the keypad TheMMX-6 will display Prb0 while it

is calculating its zero point

7) Remove the transducer from the probe-disc

At this point theMMX-6 has successfully calculated its internal error

factor and will compensate for this value in any subsequent

measurements When performing a probe-zero theMMX-6 will always

use the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc even if some other

velocity value has been entered for making actual measurements Though

the MMX-6 will remember the last probe-zero performed it is generally a

good idea to perform a probe-zero whenever the gauge is turned on as

well as any time a different transducer is used This will ensure that the

instrument is always correctly zeroed

Calibration

In order for the MMX-6 to make accurate measurements it must be set

to the correct sound-velocity for the material being measured Different

types of material have different inherent sound-velocities For example thevelocity of sound through steel is about 0233 inches-per-microsecond

versus that of aluminum which is about 0248 inches-per-microsecond If

the gauge is not set to the correct sound-velocity all of the measurements

the gauge makes will be erroneous by some fixed percentage The one

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14

point calibration is the simplest and most commonly used calibration

procedure - optimizing linearity over large ranges The two point

calibration allows for greater accuracy over small ranges by calculating the

probe zero and velocity TheMMX-6 provides three simple methods for

setting the sound-velocity described in the following pages

Note Although theMMX-6 has a thru-paintcoating feature one and two

point calibrations must be performed on material with the paint or coating

removed Failure to remove the paint or coating prior to calibration will

result in a multi material velocity calculation that may be different from the

actual material velocity intended to be measured

Calibration to a known thickness

Note This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material

to be measured the exact thickness of which is known eg from

having been measured by some other means

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed by

ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece making sure that

the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample The

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

15

display should show some (probably incorrect) thickness value

and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

8) Press the CAL key again The INmicros (or Ms) symbols should

begin flashing The MMX-6 is now displaying the sound velocity

value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was

entered in step 7

9) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6

is now ready to perform measurements

Calibration to a known velocity

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator know the sound-

velocity of the material to be measured A table of common

materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

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16

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

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24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

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Dakota Ultrasonics

4

The UP arrow key has two functions When theMMX-6 is in calibration

mode this key is used to increase numeric values on the display An auto-

repeat function is built in so that when the key is held down numeric

values will increment at an increasing rate When theMMX-6 is not in

calibration mode the UP arrow key switches the SCAN measurement

mode on and off Refer to page 18 for an explanation of the SCAN

measurement mode

The DOWN arrow key has two functions When theMMX-6 is in the

CAL mode this key is used to decrease numeric values on the display Anauto-repeat function is built in so that when the key is held down numeric

values will decrement at an increasing rate When theMMX-6 is not in

calibration mode the DOWN arrow key switches the display backlight

between three available settings OFF will be displayed when the backlight

is switched off AUTO will be displayed when the backlight is set to

automatic mode and ON will be displayed when the backlight is set to stay

on In the AUTO setting the backlight will illuminate while the MMX-6 is

making a measurement and turn off after several seconds to conserve

battery life

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

5

The ALRM key has two functions By holding down the ALRM key

when powering up the MMX-6 the audible beeper will be turned on or off

accordingly After the unit has been turned on pressing the ALRM key will

toggle the alarm mode to the onoff positions and allow the user to enter a

nominal thickness value Refer to page 19 for details on how to use the

alarm feature

The DUAL-MULTI key is used to toggle pulse-echo ( flaw amp pit

detection ) and echo-echo ( eliminate paint amp coating thickness ) This

enables the user to very conveniently switch between modes depending onapplication requirements Refer to page 20 for a complete explanation of

this feature

The SEND key is used to send the currently displayed thickness

measurement to an external storage device via the MMX-6s RS232 port

Refer to page 22 for an explanation of how to use this feature

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Dakota Ultrasonics

6

The Display

The numeric portion of the display consists of 4 complete digitspreceded by a leading 1 and is used to display numeric values as well

as occasional simple words to indicate the status of various settings

When the MMX-6 is displaying thickness measurements the display will

hold the last value measured until a new measurement is made

Additionally when the battery voltage is low the entire display will

begin to flash When this occurs the batteries should be replaced

These eight vertical bars form the Stability Indicator When theMMX-6

is idle only the left-most bar and the underline will be on While the gauge

is taking a measurement six or seven of the bars should be on If fewer

than five bars are on the MMX-6 is having difficulty achieving a stable

measurement and the thickness value displayed will most likely be

erroneous

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

7

When the IN symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value in

inches The maximum thickness that can be displayed is 19999 inches

When the MM symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value

in millimeters If the displayed thickness exceeds 19999 millimeters the

decimal point will shift automatically to the right allowing values up to

19999 millimeters to be displayed

When the IN symbol is on in conjunction with the micros symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in inches-per-microsecond

When the M symbol is on in conjunction with the s symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in meters-per-second

When the + symbol is on and blinking this indicates that the MMX-6 is

currently operating in echo-echo ( Thru-paintcoating ) mode

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Dakota Ultrasonics

8

The Transducer

The transducer is the business end of the MMX-6 It transmits and

receives ultrasonic sound waves that theMMX-6 uses to calculate the

thickness of the material being measured The transducer connects to the

MMX-6 via the attached cable and two coaxial connectors When using

transducers manufactured by Dakota Ultrasonics the orientation of the

dual coaxial connectors is not critical either plug may be fitted to either

socket in the MMX-6

The transducer must be used correctly in order for the MMX-6 to

produce accurate reliable measurements Below is a short description of

the transducer followed by instructions for its use

This is a bottom view of a typical transducer The two semicircles of the

wearface are visible as is the barrier separating them One of the

semicircles is responsible for conducting ultrasonic sound into the material

being measured and the other semicircle is responsible for conducting the

echoed sound back into the transducer When the transducer is placed

against the material being measured it is the area directly beneath the

center of the wearface that is being measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

9

This is a top view of a typical transducer Press against the top with the

thumb or index finger to hold the transducer in place Moderate pressure is

sufficient as it is only necessary to keep the transducer stationary and the

wearface seated flat against the surface of the material being measured

Making Measurements

In order for the transducer to do its job there must be no air gaps

between the wear-face and the surface of the material being measured

This is accomplished with the use of a coupling fluid commonly called

couplant This fluid serves to couple or transfer the ultrasonic sound

waves from the transducer into the material and back again Beforeattempting to make a measurement a small amount of couplant should be

applied to the surface of the material being measured Typically a single

droplet of couplant is sufficient

After applying couplant press the transducer (wearface down) firmly

against the area to be measured The Stability Indicator should have six or

seven bars darkened and a number should appear in the display If theMMX-6 has been properly zeroed (see page 12) and set to the correct

sound velocity (see page 13) the number in the display will indicate the

actual thickness of the material directly beneath the transducer

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Dakota Ultrasonics

10

If the Stability Indicator has fewer than five bars darkened or the

numbers on the display seem erratic first check to make sure that there is

an adequate film of couplant beneath the transducer and that the

transducer is seated flat against the material If the condition persists it

may be necessary to select a different transducer (size or frequency) for

the material being measured See page 24

While the transducer is in contact with the material that is being

measured the MMX-6 will perform four measurements every second

updating its display as it does so When the transducer is removed from

the surface the display will hold the last measurement made

IMPORTANT

Occasionally a small film of couplant will be drawn out between the

transducer and the surface as the transducer is removed When this

happens the MMX-6 may perform a measurement through this couplantfilm resulting in a measurement that is larger or smaller than it should be

This phenomenon is obvious when one thickness value is observed while

the transducer is in place and another value is observed after the

transducer is removed

In addition measurements through very thick paint or coatings may

result in the paint or coating being measured rather than the actual materialintended The responsibility for proper use of the instrument and

recognition of these types of phenomenonrsquos rest solely with the user of the

instrument

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12

Probe Zero

Setting the Zero Point of theMMX-6 is important for the same reason

that setting the zero on a mechanical micrometer is important If the gauge

is not zeroed correctly all of the measurements the gauge makes will be

in error by some fixed number When theMMX-6 is zeroed this fixed

error value is measured and automatically corrected for in all subsequent

measurements TheMMX-6 may be zeroed by performing the following

procedure

Performing a Probe-Zero

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on

2) Plug the transducer into theMMX-6 Make sure that the

connectors are fully engaged Check that the wearface of the

transducer is clean and free of any debris

3) The metal probe-disc is on the top end of theMMX-6

Apply asingle droplet of ultrasonic couplant to the face of this disc

4) Make sure that theMMX-6 is in P-E ( pulse-echo mode ) by

pressing the Dual-Multi key to toggle the modes

Note The Probe-Zero feature is not used in Echo-Echo Thru-Paint

mode and has been disabled If the PRB-0 key is pressed while

in this mode ldquonOrdquo followed by ldquoPrb0rdquo will be displayed5) Press the transducer against the probe-disc making sure that the

transducer sits flat against the surface The display should show

some thickness value and the Stability Indicator should have

nearly all its bars illuminated

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

13

6) While the transducer is firmly coupled to the probe-disc press the

PRB-0 key on the keypad TheMMX-6 will display Prb0 while it

is calculating its zero point

7) Remove the transducer from the probe-disc

At this point theMMX-6 has successfully calculated its internal error

factor and will compensate for this value in any subsequent

measurements When performing a probe-zero theMMX-6 will always

use the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc even if some other

velocity value has been entered for making actual measurements Though

the MMX-6 will remember the last probe-zero performed it is generally a

good idea to perform a probe-zero whenever the gauge is turned on as

well as any time a different transducer is used This will ensure that the

instrument is always correctly zeroed

Calibration

In order for the MMX-6 to make accurate measurements it must be set

to the correct sound-velocity for the material being measured Different

types of material have different inherent sound-velocities For example thevelocity of sound through steel is about 0233 inches-per-microsecond

versus that of aluminum which is about 0248 inches-per-microsecond If

the gauge is not set to the correct sound-velocity all of the measurements

the gauge makes will be erroneous by some fixed percentage The one

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14

point calibration is the simplest and most commonly used calibration

procedure - optimizing linearity over large ranges The two point

calibration allows for greater accuracy over small ranges by calculating the

probe zero and velocity TheMMX-6 provides three simple methods for

setting the sound-velocity described in the following pages

Note Although theMMX-6 has a thru-paintcoating feature one and two

point calibrations must be performed on material with the paint or coating

removed Failure to remove the paint or coating prior to calibration will

result in a multi material velocity calculation that may be different from the

actual material velocity intended to be measured

Calibration to a known thickness

Note This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material

to be measured the exact thickness of which is known eg from

having been measured by some other means

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed by

ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece making sure that

the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample The

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

15

display should show some (probably incorrect) thickness value

and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

8) Press the CAL key again The INmicros (or Ms) symbols should

begin flashing The MMX-6 is now displaying the sound velocity

value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was

entered in step 7

9) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6

is now ready to perform measurements

Calibration to a known velocity

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator know the sound-

velocity of the material to be measured A table of common

materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

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16

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

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24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

27

blank page

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28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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29

blank page

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30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

33

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

35

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

5

The ALRM key has two functions By holding down the ALRM key

when powering up the MMX-6 the audible beeper will be turned on or off

accordingly After the unit has been turned on pressing the ALRM key will

toggle the alarm mode to the onoff positions and allow the user to enter a

nominal thickness value Refer to page 19 for details on how to use the

alarm feature

The DUAL-MULTI key is used to toggle pulse-echo ( flaw amp pit

detection ) and echo-echo ( eliminate paint amp coating thickness ) This

enables the user to very conveniently switch between modes depending onapplication requirements Refer to page 20 for a complete explanation of

this feature

The SEND key is used to send the currently displayed thickness

measurement to an external storage device via the MMX-6s RS232 port

Refer to page 22 for an explanation of how to use this feature

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Dakota Ultrasonics

6

The Display

The numeric portion of the display consists of 4 complete digitspreceded by a leading 1 and is used to display numeric values as well

as occasional simple words to indicate the status of various settings

When the MMX-6 is displaying thickness measurements the display will

hold the last value measured until a new measurement is made

Additionally when the battery voltage is low the entire display will

begin to flash When this occurs the batteries should be replaced

These eight vertical bars form the Stability Indicator When theMMX-6

is idle only the left-most bar and the underline will be on While the gauge

is taking a measurement six or seven of the bars should be on If fewer

than five bars are on the MMX-6 is having difficulty achieving a stable

measurement and the thickness value displayed will most likely be

erroneous

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

7

When the IN symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value in

inches The maximum thickness that can be displayed is 19999 inches

When the MM symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value

in millimeters If the displayed thickness exceeds 19999 millimeters the

decimal point will shift automatically to the right allowing values up to

19999 millimeters to be displayed

When the IN symbol is on in conjunction with the micros symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in inches-per-microsecond

When the M symbol is on in conjunction with the s symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in meters-per-second

When the + symbol is on and blinking this indicates that the MMX-6 is

currently operating in echo-echo ( Thru-paintcoating ) mode

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Dakota Ultrasonics

8

The Transducer

The transducer is the business end of the MMX-6 It transmits and

receives ultrasonic sound waves that theMMX-6 uses to calculate the

thickness of the material being measured The transducer connects to the

MMX-6 via the attached cable and two coaxial connectors When using

transducers manufactured by Dakota Ultrasonics the orientation of the

dual coaxial connectors is not critical either plug may be fitted to either

socket in the MMX-6

The transducer must be used correctly in order for the MMX-6 to

produce accurate reliable measurements Below is a short description of

the transducer followed by instructions for its use

This is a bottom view of a typical transducer The two semicircles of the

wearface are visible as is the barrier separating them One of the

semicircles is responsible for conducting ultrasonic sound into the material

being measured and the other semicircle is responsible for conducting the

echoed sound back into the transducer When the transducer is placed

against the material being measured it is the area directly beneath the

center of the wearface that is being measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

9

This is a top view of a typical transducer Press against the top with the

thumb or index finger to hold the transducer in place Moderate pressure is

sufficient as it is only necessary to keep the transducer stationary and the

wearface seated flat against the surface of the material being measured

Making Measurements

In order for the transducer to do its job there must be no air gaps

between the wear-face and the surface of the material being measured

This is accomplished with the use of a coupling fluid commonly called

couplant This fluid serves to couple or transfer the ultrasonic sound

waves from the transducer into the material and back again Beforeattempting to make a measurement a small amount of couplant should be

applied to the surface of the material being measured Typically a single

droplet of couplant is sufficient

After applying couplant press the transducer (wearface down) firmly

against the area to be measured The Stability Indicator should have six or

seven bars darkened and a number should appear in the display If theMMX-6 has been properly zeroed (see page 12) and set to the correct

sound velocity (see page 13) the number in the display will indicate the

actual thickness of the material directly beneath the transducer

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Dakota Ultrasonics

10

If the Stability Indicator has fewer than five bars darkened or the

numbers on the display seem erratic first check to make sure that there is

an adequate film of couplant beneath the transducer and that the

transducer is seated flat against the material If the condition persists it

may be necessary to select a different transducer (size or frequency) for

the material being measured See page 24

While the transducer is in contact with the material that is being

measured the MMX-6 will perform four measurements every second

updating its display as it does so When the transducer is removed from

the surface the display will hold the last measurement made

IMPORTANT

Occasionally a small film of couplant will be drawn out between the

transducer and the surface as the transducer is removed When this

happens the MMX-6 may perform a measurement through this couplantfilm resulting in a measurement that is larger or smaller than it should be

This phenomenon is obvious when one thickness value is observed while

the transducer is in place and another value is observed after the

transducer is removed

In addition measurements through very thick paint or coatings may

result in the paint or coating being measured rather than the actual materialintended The responsibility for proper use of the instrument and

recognition of these types of phenomenonrsquos rest solely with the user of the

instrument

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12

Probe Zero

Setting the Zero Point of theMMX-6 is important for the same reason

that setting the zero on a mechanical micrometer is important If the gauge

is not zeroed correctly all of the measurements the gauge makes will be

in error by some fixed number When theMMX-6 is zeroed this fixed

error value is measured and automatically corrected for in all subsequent

measurements TheMMX-6 may be zeroed by performing the following

procedure

Performing a Probe-Zero

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on

2) Plug the transducer into theMMX-6 Make sure that the

connectors are fully engaged Check that the wearface of the

transducer is clean and free of any debris

3) The metal probe-disc is on the top end of theMMX-6

Apply asingle droplet of ultrasonic couplant to the face of this disc

4) Make sure that theMMX-6 is in P-E ( pulse-echo mode ) by

pressing the Dual-Multi key to toggle the modes

Note The Probe-Zero feature is not used in Echo-Echo Thru-Paint

mode and has been disabled If the PRB-0 key is pressed while

in this mode ldquonOrdquo followed by ldquoPrb0rdquo will be displayed5) Press the transducer against the probe-disc making sure that the

transducer sits flat against the surface The display should show

some thickness value and the Stability Indicator should have

nearly all its bars illuminated

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

13

6) While the transducer is firmly coupled to the probe-disc press the

PRB-0 key on the keypad TheMMX-6 will display Prb0 while it

is calculating its zero point

7) Remove the transducer from the probe-disc

At this point theMMX-6 has successfully calculated its internal error

factor and will compensate for this value in any subsequent

measurements When performing a probe-zero theMMX-6 will always

use the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc even if some other

velocity value has been entered for making actual measurements Though

the MMX-6 will remember the last probe-zero performed it is generally a

good idea to perform a probe-zero whenever the gauge is turned on as

well as any time a different transducer is used This will ensure that the

instrument is always correctly zeroed

Calibration

In order for the MMX-6 to make accurate measurements it must be set

to the correct sound-velocity for the material being measured Different

types of material have different inherent sound-velocities For example thevelocity of sound through steel is about 0233 inches-per-microsecond

versus that of aluminum which is about 0248 inches-per-microsecond If

the gauge is not set to the correct sound-velocity all of the measurements

the gauge makes will be erroneous by some fixed percentage The one

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14

point calibration is the simplest and most commonly used calibration

procedure - optimizing linearity over large ranges The two point

calibration allows for greater accuracy over small ranges by calculating the

probe zero and velocity TheMMX-6 provides three simple methods for

setting the sound-velocity described in the following pages

Note Although theMMX-6 has a thru-paintcoating feature one and two

point calibrations must be performed on material with the paint or coating

removed Failure to remove the paint or coating prior to calibration will

result in a multi material velocity calculation that may be different from the

actual material velocity intended to be measured

Calibration to a known thickness

Note This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material

to be measured the exact thickness of which is known eg from

having been measured by some other means

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed by

ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece making sure that

the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample The

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

15

display should show some (probably incorrect) thickness value

and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

8) Press the CAL key again The INmicros (or Ms) symbols should

begin flashing The MMX-6 is now displaying the sound velocity

value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was

entered in step 7

9) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6

is now ready to perform measurements

Calibration to a known velocity

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator know the sound-

velocity of the material to be measured A table of common

materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

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16

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

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TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

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28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

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Dakota Ultrasonics

6

The Display

The numeric portion of the display consists of 4 complete digitspreceded by a leading 1 and is used to display numeric values as well

as occasional simple words to indicate the status of various settings

When the MMX-6 is displaying thickness measurements the display will

hold the last value measured until a new measurement is made

Additionally when the battery voltage is low the entire display will

begin to flash When this occurs the batteries should be replaced

These eight vertical bars form the Stability Indicator When theMMX-6

is idle only the left-most bar and the underline will be on While the gauge

is taking a measurement six or seven of the bars should be on If fewer

than five bars are on the MMX-6 is having difficulty achieving a stable

measurement and the thickness value displayed will most likely be

erroneous

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

7

When the IN symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value in

inches The maximum thickness that can be displayed is 19999 inches

When the MM symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value

in millimeters If the displayed thickness exceeds 19999 millimeters the

decimal point will shift automatically to the right allowing values up to

19999 millimeters to be displayed

When the IN symbol is on in conjunction with the micros symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in inches-per-microsecond

When the M symbol is on in conjunction with the s symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in meters-per-second

When the + symbol is on and blinking this indicates that the MMX-6 is

currently operating in echo-echo ( Thru-paintcoating ) mode

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Dakota Ultrasonics

8

The Transducer

The transducer is the business end of the MMX-6 It transmits and

receives ultrasonic sound waves that theMMX-6 uses to calculate the

thickness of the material being measured The transducer connects to the

MMX-6 via the attached cable and two coaxial connectors When using

transducers manufactured by Dakota Ultrasonics the orientation of the

dual coaxial connectors is not critical either plug may be fitted to either

socket in the MMX-6

The transducer must be used correctly in order for the MMX-6 to

produce accurate reliable measurements Below is a short description of

the transducer followed by instructions for its use

This is a bottom view of a typical transducer The two semicircles of the

wearface are visible as is the barrier separating them One of the

semicircles is responsible for conducting ultrasonic sound into the material

being measured and the other semicircle is responsible for conducting the

echoed sound back into the transducer When the transducer is placed

against the material being measured it is the area directly beneath the

center of the wearface that is being measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

9

This is a top view of a typical transducer Press against the top with the

thumb or index finger to hold the transducer in place Moderate pressure is

sufficient as it is only necessary to keep the transducer stationary and the

wearface seated flat against the surface of the material being measured

Making Measurements

In order for the transducer to do its job there must be no air gaps

between the wear-face and the surface of the material being measured

This is accomplished with the use of a coupling fluid commonly called

couplant This fluid serves to couple or transfer the ultrasonic sound

waves from the transducer into the material and back again Beforeattempting to make a measurement a small amount of couplant should be

applied to the surface of the material being measured Typically a single

droplet of couplant is sufficient

After applying couplant press the transducer (wearface down) firmly

against the area to be measured The Stability Indicator should have six or

seven bars darkened and a number should appear in the display If theMMX-6 has been properly zeroed (see page 12) and set to the correct

sound velocity (see page 13) the number in the display will indicate the

actual thickness of the material directly beneath the transducer

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10

If the Stability Indicator has fewer than five bars darkened or the

numbers on the display seem erratic first check to make sure that there is

an adequate film of couplant beneath the transducer and that the

transducer is seated flat against the material If the condition persists it

may be necessary to select a different transducer (size or frequency) for

the material being measured See page 24

While the transducer is in contact with the material that is being

measured the MMX-6 will perform four measurements every second

updating its display as it does so When the transducer is removed from

the surface the display will hold the last measurement made

IMPORTANT

Occasionally a small film of couplant will be drawn out between the

transducer and the surface as the transducer is removed When this

happens the MMX-6 may perform a measurement through this couplantfilm resulting in a measurement that is larger or smaller than it should be

This phenomenon is obvious when one thickness value is observed while

the transducer is in place and another value is observed after the

transducer is removed

In addition measurements through very thick paint or coatings may

result in the paint or coating being measured rather than the actual materialintended The responsibility for proper use of the instrument and

recognition of these types of phenomenonrsquos rest solely with the user of the

instrument

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12

Probe Zero

Setting the Zero Point of theMMX-6 is important for the same reason

that setting the zero on a mechanical micrometer is important If the gauge

is not zeroed correctly all of the measurements the gauge makes will be

in error by some fixed number When theMMX-6 is zeroed this fixed

error value is measured and automatically corrected for in all subsequent

measurements TheMMX-6 may be zeroed by performing the following

procedure

Performing a Probe-Zero

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on

2) Plug the transducer into theMMX-6 Make sure that the

connectors are fully engaged Check that the wearface of the

transducer is clean and free of any debris

3) The metal probe-disc is on the top end of theMMX-6

Apply asingle droplet of ultrasonic couplant to the face of this disc

4) Make sure that theMMX-6 is in P-E ( pulse-echo mode ) by

pressing the Dual-Multi key to toggle the modes

Note The Probe-Zero feature is not used in Echo-Echo Thru-Paint

mode and has been disabled If the PRB-0 key is pressed while

in this mode ldquonOrdquo followed by ldquoPrb0rdquo will be displayed5) Press the transducer against the probe-disc making sure that the

transducer sits flat against the surface The display should show

some thickness value and the Stability Indicator should have

nearly all its bars illuminated

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

13

6) While the transducer is firmly coupled to the probe-disc press the

PRB-0 key on the keypad TheMMX-6 will display Prb0 while it

is calculating its zero point

7) Remove the transducer from the probe-disc

At this point theMMX-6 has successfully calculated its internal error

factor and will compensate for this value in any subsequent

measurements When performing a probe-zero theMMX-6 will always

use the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc even if some other

velocity value has been entered for making actual measurements Though

the MMX-6 will remember the last probe-zero performed it is generally a

good idea to perform a probe-zero whenever the gauge is turned on as

well as any time a different transducer is used This will ensure that the

instrument is always correctly zeroed

Calibration

In order for the MMX-6 to make accurate measurements it must be set

to the correct sound-velocity for the material being measured Different

types of material have different inherent sound-velocities For example thevelocity of sound through steel is about 0233 inches-per-microsecond

versus that of aluminum which is about 0248 inches-per-microsecond If

the gauge is not set to the correct sound-velocity all of the measurements

the gauge makes will be erroneous by some fixed percentage The one

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Dakota Ultrasonics

14

point calibration is the simplest and most commonly used calibration

procedure - optimizing linearity over large ranges The two point

calibration allows for greater accuracy over small ranges by calculating the

probe zero and velocity TheMMX-6 provides three simple methods for

setting the sound-velocity described in the following pages

Note Although theMMX-6 has a thru-paintcoating feature one and two

point calibrations must be performed on material with the paint or coating

removed Failure to remove the paint or coating prior to calibration will

result in a multi material velocity calculation that may be different from the

actual material velocity intended to be measured

Calibration to a known thickness

Note This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material

to be measured the exact thickness of which is known eg from

having been measured by some other means

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed by

ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece making sure that

the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample The

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

15

display should show some (probably incorrect) thickness value

and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

8) Press the CAL key again The INmicros (or Ms) symbols should

begin flashing The MMX-6 is now displaying the sound velocity

value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was

entered in step 7

9) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6

is now ready to perform measurements

Calibration to a known velocity

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator know the sound-

velocity of the material to be measured A table of common

materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

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16

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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Dakota Ultrasonics

18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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Dakota Ultrasonics

20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

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Dakota Ultrasonics

24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

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7

When the IN symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value in

inches The maximum thickness that can be displayed is 19999 inches

When the MM symbol is on the MMX-6 is displaying a thickness value

in millimeters If the displayed thickness exceeds 19999 millimeters the

decimal point will shift automatically to the right allowing values up to

19999 millimeters to be displayed

When the IN symbol is on in conjunction with the micros symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in inches-per-microsecond

When the M symbol is on in conjunction with the s symbol the MMX-

6 is displaying a sound-velocity value in meters-per-second

When the + symbol is on and blinking this indicates that the MMX-6 is

currently operating in echo-echo ( Thru-paintcoating ) mode

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8

The Transducer

The transducer is the business end of the MMX-6 It transmits and

receives ultrasonic sound waves that theMMX-6 uses to calculate the

thickness of the material being measured The transducer connects to the

MMX-6 via the attached cable and two coaxial connectors When using

transducers manufactured by Dakota Ultrasonics the orientation of the

dual coaxial connectors is not critical either plug may be fitted to either

socket in the MMX-6

The transducer must be used correctly in order for the MMX-6 to

produce accurate reliable measurements Below is a short description of

the transducer followed by instructions for its use

This is a bottom view of a typical transducer The two semicircles of the

wearface are visible as is the barrier separating them One of the

semicircles is responsible for conducting ultrasonic sound into the material

being measured and the other semicircle is responsible for conducting the

echoed sound back into the transducer When the transducer is placed

against the material being measured it is the area directly beneath the

center of the wearface that is being measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

9

This is a top view of a typical transducer Press against the top with the

thumb or index finger to hold the transducer in place Moderate pressure is

sufficient as it is only necessary to keep the transducer stationary and the

wearface seated flat against the surface of the material being measured

Making Measurements

In order for the transducer to do its job there must be no air gaps

between the wear-face and the surface of the material being measured

This is accomplished with the use of a coupling fluid commonly called

couplant This fluid serves to couple or transfer the ultrasonic sound

waves from the transducer into the material and back again Beforeattempting to make a measurement a small amount of couplant should be

applied to the surface of the material being measured Typically a single

droplet of couplant is sufficient

After applying couplant press the transducer (wearface down) firmly

against the area to be measured The Stability Indicator should have six or

seven bars darkened and a number should appear in the display If theMMX-6 has been properly zeroed (see page 12) and set to the correct

sound velocity (see page 13) the number in the display will indicate the

actual thickness of the material directly beneath the transducer

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10

If the Stability Indicator has fewer than five bars darkened or the

numbers on the display seem erratic first check to make sure that there is

an adequate film of couplant beneath the transducer and that the

transducer is seated flat against the material If the condition persists it

may be necessary to select a different transducer (size or frequency) for

the material being measured See page 24

While the transducer is in contact with the material that is being

measured the MMX-6 will perform four measurements every second

updating its display as it does so When the transducer is removed from

the surface the display will hold the last measurement made

IMPORTANT

Occasionally a small film of couplant will be drawn out between the

transducer and the surface as the transducer is removed When this

happens the MMX-6 may perform a measurement through this couplantfilm resulting in a measurement that is larger or smaller than it should be

This phenomenon is obvious when one thickness value is observed while

the transducer is in place and another value is observed after the

transducer is removed

In addition measurements through very thick paint or coatings may

result in the paint or coating being measured rather than the actual materialintended The responsibility for proper use of the instrument and

recognition of these types of phenomenonrsquos rest solely with the user of the

instrument

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12

Probe Zero

Setting the Zero Point of theMMX-6 is important for the same reason

that setting the zero on a mechanical micrometer is important If the gauge

is not zeroed correctly all of the measurements the gauge makes will be

in error by some fixed number When theMMX-6 is zeroed this fixed

error value is measured and automatically corrected for in all subsequent

measurements TheMMX-6 may be zeroed by performing the following

procedure

Performing a Probe-Zero

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on

2) Plug the transducer into theMMX-6 Make sure that the

connectors are fully engaged Check that the wearface of the

transducer is clean and free of any debris

3) The metal probe-disc is on the top end of theMMX-6

Apply asingle droplet of ultrasonic couplant to the face of this disc

4) Make sure that theMMX-6 is in P-E ( pulse-echo mode ) by

pressing the Dual-Multi key to toggle the modes

Note The Probe-Zero feature is not used in Echo-Echo Thru-Paint

mode and has been disabled If the PRB-0 key is pressed while

in this mode ldquonOrdquo followed by ldquoPrb0rdquo will be displayed5) Press the transducer against the probe-disc making sure that the

transducer sits flat against the surface The display should show

some thickness value and the Stability Indicator should have

nearly all its bars illuminated

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

13

6) While the transducer is firmly coupled to the probe-disc press the

PRB-0 key on the keypad TheMMX-6 will display Prb0 while it

is calculating its zero point

7) Remove the transducer from the probe-disc

At this point theMMX-6 has successfully calculated its internal error

factor and will compensate for this value in any subsequent

measurements When performing a probe-zero theMMX-6 will always

use the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc even if some other

velocity value has been entered for making actual measurements Though

the MMX-6 will remember the last probe-zero performed it is generally a

good idea to perform a probe-zero whenever the gauge is turned on as

well as any time a different transducer is used This will ensure that the

instrument is always correctly zeroed

Calibration

In order for the MMX-6 to make accurate measurements it must be set

to the correct sound-velocity for the material being measured Different

types of material have different inherent sound-velocities For example thevelocity of sound through steel is about 0233 inches-per-microsecond

versus that of aluminum which is about 0248 inches-per-microsecond If

the gauge is not set to the correct sound-velocity all of the measurements

the gauge makes will be erroneous by some fixed percentage The one

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14

point calibration is the simplest and most commonly used calibration

procedure - optimizing linearity over large ranges The two point

calibration allows for greater accuracy over small ranges by calculating the

probe zero and velocity TheMMX-6 provides three simple methods for

setting the sound-velocity described in the following pages

Note Although theMMX-6 has a thru-paintcoating feature one and two

point calibrations must be performed on material with the paint or coating

removed Failure to remove the paint or coating prior to calibration will

result in a multi material velocity calculation that may be different from the

actual material velocity intended to be measured

Calibration to a known thickness

Note This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material

to be measured the exact thickness of which is known eg from

having been measured by some other means

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed by

ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece making sure that

the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample The

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

15

display should show some (probably incorrect) thickness value

and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

8) Press the CAL key again The INmicros (or Ms) symbols should

begin flashing The MMX-6 is now displaying the sound velocity

value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was

entered in step 7

9) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6

is now ready to perform measurements

Calibration to a known velocity

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator know the sound-

velocity of the material to be measured A table of common

materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

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Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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Dakota Ultrasonics

22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

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24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

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8

The Transducer

The transducer is the business end of the MMX-6 It transmits and

receives ultrasonic sound waves that theMMX-6 uses to calculate the

thickness of the material being measured The transducer connects to the

MMX-6 via the attached cable and two coaxial connectors When using

transducers manufactured by Dakota Ultrasonics the orientation of the

dual coaxial connectors is not critical either plug may be fitted to either

socket in the MMX-6

The transducer must be used correctly in order for the MMX-6 to

produce accurate reliable measurements Below is a short description of

the transducer followed by instructions for its use

This is a bottom view of a typical transducer The two semicircles of the

wearface are visible as is the barrier separating them One of the

semicircles is responsible for conducting ultrasonic sound into the material

being measured and the other semicircle is responsible for conducting the

echoed sound back into the transducer When the transducer is placed

against the material being measured it is the area directly beneath the

center of the wearface that is being measured

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9

This is a top view of a typical transducer Press against the top with the

thumb or index finger to hold the transducer in place Moderate pressure is

sufficient as it is only necessary to keep the transducer stationary and the

wearface seated flat against the surface of the material being measured

Making Measurements

In order for the transducer to do its job there must be no air gaps

between the wear-face and the surface of the material being measured

This is accomplished with the use of a coupling fluid commonly called

couplant This fluid serves to couple or transfer the ultrasonic sound

waves from the transducer into the material and back again Beforeattempting to make a measurement a small amount of couplant should be

applied to the surface of the material being measured Typically a single

droplet of couplant is sufficient

After applying couplant press the transducer (wearface down) firmly

against the area to be measured The Stability Indicator should have six or

seven bars darkened and a number should appear in the display If theMMX-6 has been properly zeroed (see page 12) and set to the correct

sound velocity (see page 13) the number in the display will indicate the

actual thickness of the material directly beneath the transducer

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10

If the Stability Indicator has fewer than five bars darkened or the

numbers on the display seem erratic first check to make sure that there is

an adequate film of couplant beneath the transducer and that the

transducer is seated flat against the material If the condition persists it

may be necessary to select a different transducer (size or frequency) for

the material being measured See page 24

While the transducer is in contact with the material that is being

measured the MMX-6 will perform four measurements every second

updating its display as it does so When the transducer is removed from

the surface the display will hold the last measurement made

IMPORTANT

Occasionally a small film of couplant will be drawn out between the

transducer and the surface as the transducer is removed When this

happens the MMX-6 may perform a measurement through this couplantfilm resulting in a measurement that is larger or smaller than it should be

This phenomenon is obvious when one thickness value is observed while

the transducer is in place and another value is observed after the

transducer is removed

In addition measurements through very thick paint or coatings may

result in the paint or coating being measured rather than the actual materialintended The responsibility for proper use of the instrument and

recognition of these types of phenomenonrsquos rest solely with the user of the

instrument

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12

Probe Zero

Setting the Zero Point of theMMX-6 is important for the same reason

that setting the zero on a mechanical micrometer is important If the gauge

is not zeroed correctly all of the measurements the gauge makes will be

in error by some fixed number When theMMX-6 is zeroed this fixed

error value is measured and automatically corrected for in all subsequent

measurements TheMMX-6 may be zeroed by performing the following

procedure

Performing a Probe-Zero

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on

2) Plug the transducer into theMMX-6 Make sure that the

connectors are fully engaged Check that the wearface of the

transducer is clean and free of any debris

3) The metal probe-disc is on the top end of theMMX-6

Apply asingle droplet of ultrasonic couplant to the face of this disc

4) Make sure that theMMX-6 is in P-E ( pulse-echo mode ) by

pressing the Dual-Multi key to toggle the modes

Note The Probe-Zero feature is not used in Echo-Echo Thru-Paint

mode and has been disabled If the PRB-0 key is pressed while

in this mode ldquonOrdquo followed by ldquoPrb0rdquo will be displayed5) Press the transducer against the probe-disc making sure that the

transducer sits flat against the surface The display should show

some thickness value and the Stability Indicator should have

nearly all its bars illuminated

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13

6) While the transducer is firmly coupled to the probe-disc press the

PRB-0 key on the keypad TheMMX-6 will display Prb0 while it

is calculating its zero point

7) Remove the transducer from the probe-disc

At this point theMMX-6 has successfully calculated its internal error

factor and will compensate for this value in any subsequent

measurements When performing a probe-zero theMMX-6 will always

use the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc even if some other

velocity value has been entered for making actual measurements Though

the MMX-6 will remember the last probe-zero performed it is generally a

good idea to perform a probe-zero whenever the gauge is turned on as

well as any time a different transducer is used This will ensure that the

instrument is always correctly zeroed

Calibration

In order for the MMX-6 to make accurate measurements it must be set

to the correct sound-velocity for the material being measured Different

types of material have different inherent sound-velocities For example thevelocity of sound through steel is about 0233 inches-per-microsecond

versus that of aluminum which is about 0248 inches-per-microsecond If

the gauge is not set to the correct sound-velocity all of the measurements

the gauge makes will be erroneous by some fixed percentage The one

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14

point calibration is the simplest and most commonly used calibration

procedure - optimizing linearity over large ranges The two point

calibration allows for greater accuracy over small ranges by calculating the

probe zero and velocity TheMMX-6 provides three simple methods for

setting the sound-velocity described in the following pages

Note Although theMMX-6 has a thru-paintcoating feature one and two

point calibrations must be performed on material with the paint or coating

removed Failure to remove the paint or coating prior to calibration will

result in a multi material velocity calculation that may be different from the

actual material velocity intended to be measured

Calibration to a known thickness

Note This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material

to be measured the exact thickness of which is known eg from

having been measured by some other means

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed by

ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece making sure that

the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample The

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

15

display should show some (probably incorrect) thickness value

and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

8) Press the CAL key again The INmicros (or Ms) symbols should

begin flashing The MMX-6 is now displaying the sound velocity

value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was

entered in step 7

9) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6

is now ready to perform measurements

Calibration to a known velocity

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator know the sound-

velocity of the material to be measured A table of common

materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

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16

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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Dakota Ultrasonics

20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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Dakota Ultrasonics

22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

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Dakota Ultrasonics

24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

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9

This is a top view of a typical transducer Press against the top with the

thumb or index finger to hold the transducer in place Moderate pressure is

sufficient as it is only necessary to keep the transducer stationary and the

wearface seated flat against the surface of the material being measured

Making Measurements

In order for the transducer to do its job there must be no air gaps

between the wear-face and the surface of the material being measured

This is accomplished with the use of a coupling fluid commonly called

couplant This fluid serves to couple or transfer the ultrasonic sound

waves from the transducer into the material and back again Beforeattempting to make a measurement a small amount of couplant should be

applied to the surface of the material being measured Typically a single

droplet of couplant is sufficient

After applying couplant press the transducer (wearface down) firmly

against the area to be measured The Stability Indicator should have six or

seven bars darkened and a number should appear in the display If theMMX-6 has been properly zeroed (see page 12) and set to the correct

sound velocity (see page 13) the number in the display will indicate the

actual thickness of the material directly beneath the transducer

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10

If the Stability Indicator has fewer than five bars darkened or the

numbers on the display seem erratic first check to make sure that there is

an adequate film of couplant beneath the transducer and that the

transducer is seated flat against the material If the condition persists it

may be necessary to select a different transducer (size or frequency) for

the material being measured See page 24

While the transducer is in contact with the material that is being

measured the MMX-6 will perform four measurements every second

updating its display as it does so When the transducer is removed from

the surface the display will hold the last measurement made

IMPORTANT

Occasionally a small film of couplant will be drawn out between the

transducer and the surface as the transducer is removed When this

happens the MMX-6 may perform a measurement through this couplantfilm resulting in a measurement that is larger or smaller than it should be

This phenomenon is obvious when one thickness value is observed while

the transducer is in place and another value is observed after the

transducer is removed

In addition measurements through very thick paint or coatings may

result in the paint or coating being measured rather than the actual materialintended The responsibility for proper use of the instrument and

recognition of these types of phenomenonrsquos rest solely with the user of the

instrument

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12

Probe Zero

Setting the Zero Point of theMMX-6 is important for the same reason

that setting the zero on a mechanical micrometer is important If the gauge

is not zeroed correctly all of the measurements the gauge makes will be

in error by some fixed number When theMMX-6 is zeroed this fixed

error value is measured and automatically corrected for in all subsequent

measurements TheMMX-6 may be zeroed by performing the following

procedure

Performing a Probe-Zero

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on

2) Plug the transducer into theMMX-6 Make sure that the

connectors are fully engaged Check that the wearface of the

transducer is clean and free of any debris

3) The metal probe-disc is on the top end of theMMX-6

Apply asingle droplet of ultrasonic couplant to the face of this disc

4) Make sure that theMMX-6 is in P-E ( pulse-echo mode ) by

pressing the Dual-Multi key to toggle the modes

Note The Probe-Zero feature is not used in Echo-Echo Thru-Paint

mode and has been disabled If the PRB-0 key is pressed while

in this mode ldquonOrdquo followed by ldquoPrb0rdquo will be displayed5) Press the transducer against the probe-disc making sure that the

transducer sits flat against the surface The display should show

some thickness value and the Stability Indicator should have

nearly all its bars illuminated

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

13

6) While the transducer is firmly coupled to the probe-disc press the

PRB-0 key on the keypad TheMMX-6 will display Prb0 while it

is calculating its zero point

7) Remove the transducer from the probe-disc

At this point theMMX-6 has successfully calculated its internal error

factor and will compensate for this value in any subsequent

measurements When performing a probe-zero theMMX-6 will always

use the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc even if some other

velocity value has been entered for making actual measurements Though

the MMX-6 will remember the last probe-zero performed it is generally a

good idea to perform a probe-zero whenever the gauge is turned on as

well as any time a different transducer is used This will ensure that the

instrument is always correctly zeroed

Calibration

In order for the MMX-6 to make accurate measurements it must be set

to the correct sound-velocity for the material being measured Different

types of material have different inherent sound-velocities For example thevelocity of sound through steel is about 0233 inches-per-microsecond

versus that of aluminum which is about 0248 inches-per-microsecond If

the gauge is not set to the correct sound-velocity all of the measurements

the gauge makes will be erroneous by some fixed percentage The one

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14

point calibration is the simplest and most commonly used calibration

procedure - optimizing linearity over large ranges The two point

calibration allows for greater accuracy over small ranges by calculating the

probe zero and velocity TheMMX-6 provides three simple methods for

setting the sound-velocity described in the following pages

Note Although theMMX-6 has a thru-paintcoating feature one and two

point calibrations must be performed on material with the paint or coating

removed Failure to remove the paint or coating prior to calibration will

result in a multi material velocity calculation that may be different from the

actual material velocity intended to be measured

Calibration to a known thickness

Note This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material

to be measured the exact thickness of which is known eg from

having been measured by some other means

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed by

ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece making sure that

the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample The

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

15

display should show some (probably incorrect) thickness value

and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

8) Press the CAL key again The INmicros (or Ms) symbols should

begin flashing The MMX-6 is now displaying the sound velocity

value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was

entered in step 7

9) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6

is now ready to perform measurements

Calibration to a known velocity

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator know the sound-

velocity of the material to be measured A table of common

materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

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16

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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Dakota Ultrasonics

22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

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Dakota Ultrasonics

24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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33

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

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Dakota Ultrasonics

10

If the Stability Indicator has fewer than five bars darkened or the

numbers on the display seem erratic first check to make sure that there is

an adequate film of couplant beneath the transducer and that the

transducer is seated flat against the material If the condition persists it

may be necessary to select a different transducer (size or frequency) for

the material being measured See page 24

While the transducer is in contact with the material that is being

measured the MMX-6 will perform four measurements every second

updating its display as it does so When the transducer is removed from

the surface the display will hold the last measurement made

IMPORTANT

Occasionally a small film of couplant will be drawn out between the

transducer and the surface as the transducer is removed When this

happens the MMX-6 may perform a measurement through this couplantfilm resulting in a measurement that is larger or smaller than it should be

This phenomenon is obvious when one thickness value is observed while

the transducer is in place and another value is observed after the

transducer is removed

In addition measurements through very thick paint or coatings may

result in the paint or coating being measured rather than the actual materialintended The responsibility for proper use of the instrument and

recognition of these types of phenomenonrsquos rest solely with the user of the

instrument

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12

Probe Zero

Setting the Zero Point of theMMX-6 is important for the same reason

that setting the zero on a mechanical micrometer is important If the gauge

is not zeroed correctly all of the measurements the gauge makes will be

in error by some fixed number When theMMX-6 is zeroed this fixed

error value is measured and automatically corrected for in all subsequent

measurements TheMMX-6 may be zeroed by performing the following

procedure

Performing a Probe-Zero

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on

2) Plug the transducer into theMMX-6 Make sure that the

connectors are fully engaged Check that the wearface of the

transducer is clean and free of any debris

3) The metal probe-disc is on the top end of theMMX-6

Apply asingle droplet of ultrasonic couplant to the face of this disc

4) Make sure that theMMX-6 is in P-E ( pulse-echo mode ) by

pressing the Dual-Multi key to toggle the modes

Note The Probe-Zero feature is not used in Echo-Echo Thru-Paint

mode and has been disabled If the PRB-0 key is pressed while

in this mode ldquonOrdquo followed by ldquoPrb0rdquo will be displayed5) Press the transducer against the probe-disc making sure that the

transducer sits flat against the surface The display should show

some thickness value and the Stability Indicator should have

nearly all its bars illuminated

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

13

6) While the transducer is firmly coupled to the probe-disc press the

PRB-0 key on the keypad TheMMX-6 will display Prb0 while it

is calculating its zero point

7) Remove the transducer from the probe-disc

At this point theMMX-6 has successfully calculated its internal error

factor and will compensate for this value in any subsequent

measurements When performing a probe-zero theMMX-6 will always

use the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc even if some other

velocity value has been entered for making actual measurements Though

the MMX-6 will remember the last probe-zero performed it is generally a

good idea to perform a probe-zero whenever the gauge is turned on as

well as any time a different transducer is used This will ensure that the

instrument is always correctly zeroed

Calibration

In order for the MMX-6 to make accurate measurements it must be set

to the correct sound-velocity for the material being measured Different

types of material have different inherent sound-velocities For example thevelocity of sound through steel is about 0233 inches-per-microsecond

versus that of aluminum which is about 0248 inches-per-microsecond If

the gauge is not set to the correct sound-velocity all of the measurements

the gauge makes will be erroneous by some fixed percentage The one

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14

point calibration is the simplest and most commonly used calibration

procedure - optimizing linearity over large ranges The two point

calibration allows for greater accuracy over small ranges by calculating the

probe zero and velocity TheMMX-6 provides three simple methods for

setting the sound-velocity described in the following pages

Note Although theMMX-6 has a thru-paintcoating feature one and two

point calibrations must be performed on material with the paint or coating

removed Failure to remove the paint or coating prior to calibration will

result in a multi material velocity calculation that may be different from the

actual material velocity intended to be measured

Calibration to a known thickness

Note This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material

to be measured the exact thickness of which is known eg from

having been measured by some other means

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed by

ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece making sure that

the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample The

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

15

display should show some (probably incorrect) thickness value

and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

8) Press the CAL key again The INmicros (or Ms) symbols should

begin flashing The MMX-6 is now displaying the sound velocity

value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was

entered in step 7

9) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6

is now ready to perform measurements

Calibration to a known velocity

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator know the sound-

velocity of the material to be measured A table of common

materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

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Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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Dakota Ultrasonics

22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

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NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

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Dakota Ultrasonics

24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

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12

Probe Zero

Setting the Zero Point of theMMX-6 is important for the same reason

that setting the zero on a mechanical micrometer is important If the gauge

is not zeroed correctly all of the measurements the gauge makes will be

in error by some fixed number When theMMX-6 is zeroed this fixed

error value is measured and automatically corrected for in all subsequent

measurements TheMMX-6 may be zeroed by performing the following

procedure

Performing a Probe-Zero

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on

2) Plug the transducer into theMMX-6 Make sure that the

connectors are fully engaged Check that the wearface of the

transducer is clean and free of any debris

3) The metal probe-disc is on the top end of theMMX-6

Apply asingle droplet of ultrasonic couplant to the face of this disc

4) Make sure that theMMX-6 is in P-E ( pulse-echo mode ) by

pressing the Dual-Multi key to toggle the modes

Note The Probe-Zero feature is not used in Echo-Echo Thru-Paint

mode and has been disabled If the PRB-0 key is pressed while

in this mode ldquonOrdquo followed by ldquoPrb0rdquo will be displayed5) Press the transducer against the probe-disc making sure that the

transducer sits flat against the surface The display should show

some thickness value and the Stability Indicator should have

nearly all its bars illuminated

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

13

6) While the transducer is firmly coupled to the probe-disc press the

PRB-0 key on the keypad TheMMX-6 will display Prb0 while it

is calculating its zero point

7) Remove the transducer from the probe-disc

At this point theMMX-6 has successfully calculated its internal error

factor and will compensate for this value in any subsequent

measurements When performing a probe-zero theMMX-6 will always

use the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc even if some other

velocity value has been entered for making actual measurements Though

the MMX-6 will remember the last probe-zero performed it is generally a

good idea to perform a probe-zero whenever the gauge is turned on as

well as any time a different transducer is used This will ensure that the

instrument is always correctly zeroed

Calibration

In order for the MMX-6 to make accurate measurements it must be set

to the correct sound-velocity for the material being measured Different

types of material have different inherent sound-velocities For example thevelocity of sound through steel is about 0233 inches-per-microsecond

versus that of aluminum which is about 0248 inches-per-microsecond If

the gauge is not set to the correct sound-velocity all of the measurements

the gauge makes will be erroneous by some fixed percentage The one

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14

point calibration is the simplest and most commonly used calibration

procedure - optimizing linearity over large ranges The two point

calibration allows for greater accuracy over small ranges by calculating the

probe zero and velocity TheMMX-6 provides three simple methods for

setting the sound-velocity described in the following pages

Note Although theMMX-6 has a thru-paintcoating feature one and two

point calibrations must be performed on material with the paint or coating

removed Failure to remove the paint or coating prior to calibration will

result in a multi material velocity calculation that may be different from the

actual material velocity intended to be measured

Calibration to a known thickness

Note This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material

to be measured the exact thickness of which is known eg from

having been measured by some other means

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed by

ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece making sure that

the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample The

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

15

display should show some (probably incorrect) thickness value

and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

8) Press the CAL key again The INmicros (or Ms) symbols should

begin flashing The MMX-6 is now displaying the sound velocity

value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was

entered in step 7

9) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6

is now ready to perform measurements

Calibration to a known velocity

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator know the sound-

velocity of the material to be measured A table of common

materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

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Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

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Dakota Ultrasonics

12

Probe Zero

Setting the Zero Point of theMMX-6 is important for the same reason

that setting the zero on a mechanical micrometer is important If the gauge

is not zeroed correctly all of the measurements the gauge makes will be

in error by some fixed number When theMMX-6 is zeroed this fixed

error value is measured and automatically corrected for in all subsequent

measurements TheMMX-6 may be zeroed by performing the following

procedure

Performing a Probe-Zero

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on

2) Plug the transducer into theMMX-6 Make sure that the

connectors are fully engaged Check that the wearface of the

transducer is clean and free of any debris

3) The metal probe-disc is on the top end of theMMX-6

Apply asingle droplet of ultrasonic couplant to the face of this disc

4) Make sure that theMMX-6 is in P-E ( pulse-echo mode ) by

pressing the Dual-Multi key to toggle the modes

Note The Probe-Zero feature is not used in Echo-Echo Thru-Paint

mode and has been disabled If the PRB-0 key is pressed while

in this mode ldquonOrdquo followed by ldquoPrb0rdquo will be displayed5) Press the transducer against the probe-disc making sure that the

transducer sits flat against the surface The display should show

some thickness value and the Stability Indicator should have

nearly all its bars illuminated

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13

6) While the transducer is firmly coupled to the probe-disc press the

PRB-0 key on the keypad TheMMX-6 will display Prb0 while it

is calculating its zero point

7) Remove the transducer from the probe-disc

At this point theMMX-6 has successfully calculated its internal error

factor and will compensate for this value in any subsequent

measurements When performing a probe-zero theMMX-6 will always

use the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc even if some other

velocity value has been entered for making actual measurements Though

the MMX-6 will remember the last probe-zero performed it is generally a

good idea to perform a probe-zero whenever the gauge is turned on as

well as any time a different transducer is used This will ensure that the

instrument is always correctly zeroed

Calibration

In order for the MMX-6 to make accurate measurements it must be set

to the correct sound-velocity for the material being measured Different

types of material have different inherent sound-velocities For example thevelocity of sound through steel is about 0233 inches-per-microsecond

versus that of aluminum which is about 0248 inches-per-microsecond If

the gauge is not set to the correct sound-velocity all of the measurements

the gauge makes will be erroneous by some fixed percentage The one

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14

point calibration is the simplest and most commonly used calibration

procedure - optimizing linearity over large ranges The two point

calibration allows for greater accuracy over small ranges by calculating the

probe zero and velocity TheMMX-6 provides three simple methods for

setting the sound-velocity described in the following pages

Note Although theMMX-6 has a thru-paintcoating feature one and two

point calibrations must be performed on material with the paint or coating

removed Failure to remove the paint or coating prior to calibration will

result in a multi material velocity calculation that may be different from the

actual material velocity intended to be measured

Calibration to a known thickness

Note This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material

to be measured the exact thickness of which is known eg from

having been measured by some other means

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed by

ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece making sure that

the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample The

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

15

display should show some (probably incorrect) thickness value

and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

8) Press the CAL key again The INmicros (or Ms) symbols should

begin flashing The MMX-6 is now displaying the sound velocity

value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was

entered in step 7

9) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6

is now ready to perform measurements

Calibration to a known velocity

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator know the sound-

velocity of the material to be measured A table of common

materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

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Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

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24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

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28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

13

6) While the transducer is firmly coupled to the probe-disc press the

PRB-0 key on the keypad TheMMX-6 will display Prb0 while it

is calculating its zero point

7) Remove the transducer from the probe-disc

At this point theMMX-6 has successfully calculated its internal error

factor and will compensate for this value in any subsequent

measurements When performing a probe-zero theMMX-6 will always

use the sound-velocity value of the built-in probe-disc even if some other

velocity value has been entered for making actual measurements Though

the MMX-6 will remember the last probe-zero performed it is generally a

good idea to perform a probe-zero whenever the gauge is turned on as

well as any time a different transducer is used This will ensure that the

instrument is always correctly zeroed

Calibration

In order for the MMX-6 to make accurate measurements it must be set

to the correct sound-velocity for the material being measured Different

types of material have different inherent sound-velocities For example thevelocity of sound through steel is about 0233 inches-per-microsecond

versus that of aluminum which is about 0248 inches-per-microsecond If

the gauge is not set to the correct sound-velocity all of the measurements

the gauge makes will be erroneous by some fixed percentage The one

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14

point calibration is the simplest and most commonly used calibration

procedure - optimizing linearity over large ranges The two point

calibration allows for greater accuracy over small ranges by calculating the

probe zero and velocity TheMMX-6 provides three simple methods for

setting the sound-velocity described in the following pages

Note Although theMMX-6 has a thru-paintcoating feature one and two

point calibrations must be performed on material with the paint or coating

removed Failure to remove the paint or coating prior to calibration will

result in a multi material velocity calculation that may be different from the

actual material velocity intended to be measured

Calibration to a known thickness

Note This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material

to be measured the exact thickness of which is known eg from

having been measured by some other means

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed by

ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece making sure that

the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample The

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

15

display should show some (probably incorrect) thickness value

and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

8) Press the CAL key again The INmicros (or Ms) symbols should

begin flashing The MMX-6 is now displaying the sound velocity

value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was

entered in step 7

9) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6

is now ready to perform measurements

Calibration to a known velocity

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator know the sound-

velocity of the material to be measured A table of common

materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

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Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

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24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

27

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28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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33

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

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Dakota Ultrasonics

14

point calibration is the simplest and most commonly used calibration

procedure - optimizing linearity over large ranges The two point

calibration allows for greater accuracy over small ranges by calculating the

probe zero and velocity TheMMX-6 provides three simple methods for

setting the sound-velocity described in the following pages

Note Although theMMX-6 has a thru-paintcoating feature one and two

point calibrations must be performed on material with the paint or coating

removed Failure to remove the paint or coating prior to calibration will

result in a multi material velocity calculation that may be different from the

actual material velocity intended to be measured

Calibration to a known thickness

Note This procedure requires a sample piece of the specific material

to be measured the exact thickness of which is known eg from

having been measured by some other means

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed by

ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece making sure that

the transducer sits flat against the surface of the sample The

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

15

display should show some (probably incorrect) thickness value

and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

8) Press the CAL key again The INmicros (or Ms) symbols should

begin flashing The MMX-6 is now displaying the sound velocity

value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was

entered in step 7

9) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6

is now ready to perform measurements

Calibration to a known velocity

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator know the sound-

velocity of the material to be measured A table of common

materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

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16

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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Dakota Ultrasonics

18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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Dakota Ultrasonics

20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

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24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

33

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

35

blank page

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

15

display should show some (probably incorrect) thickness value

and the Stability Indicator should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

8) Press the CAL key again The INmicros (or Ms) symbols should

begin flashing The MMX-6 is now displaying the sound velocity

value it has calculated based on the thickness value that was

entered in step 7

9) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6

is now ready to perform measurements

Calibration to a known velocity

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator know the sound-

velocity of the material to be measured A table of common

materials and their sound-velocities can be found in Appendix C

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

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Dakota Ultrasonics

16

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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Dakota Ultrasonics

18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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Dakota Ultrasonics

20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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Dakota Ultrasonics

22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

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Dakota Ultrasonics

24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

27

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28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

29

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30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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33

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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35

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

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892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

16

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Press the CAL key to enter calibration mode If the IN (or MM)

symbol is flashing press the CAL key again so that the INmicros (or

Ms) symbols are flashing

3) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed velocity

up or down until it matches the sound-velocity of the material to be

measured

4) Press the CAL key once more to exit the calibration mode The

MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements

NOTE At any time during the calibration procedure ( IN MM INmicros or

Ms flashing in the display) pressing the PRB-0 key will restore the gauge

to the factory default sound-velocity for steel (0233 INmicros)

To achieve the most accurate measurements possible it is generally

advisable to always calibrate theMMX-6 to a sample piece of known

thickness Material composition (and thus its sound-velocity) sometimes

varies from lot to lot and from manufacturer to manufacturer Calibration to

a sample of known thickness will ensure that the gauge is set as closely as

possible to the sound velocity of the material to be measured

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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Dakota Ultrasonics

18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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Dakota Ultrasonics

20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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Dakota Ultrasonics

22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

27

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28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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29

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30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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33

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

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17

Two Point Calibration

NOTE This procedure requires that the operator has two known

thickness points on the test piece that are representative of the

range to be measured

1) Make sure theMMX-6 is on and switched to P-E (pulse-echo)

mode Press the Dual-Multi key to toggle modes

Note The calibration function has been disabled in E-E (echo-echo)

mode If the CAL key is pressed while in E-E mode ldquonOrdquo followed

by ldquoCALrdquo will be displayed

2) Perform a Probe-Zero (refer to page 12)

3) Apply couplant to the sample piece

4) Press the transducer against the sample piece at the firstsecond

calibration point making sure that the transducer sits flat against

the surface of the sample The display should show some

(probably incorrect) thickness value and the Stability Indicator

should have nearly all its bars on

5) Having achieved a stable reading remove the transducer If the

displayed thickness changes from the value shown while the

transducer was coupled repeat step 4

6) Press the CAL key The IN (or MM) symbol should begin flashing

7) Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to adjust the displayed

thickness up or down until it matches the thickness of the sample

piece

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18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 2542

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 2842

Dakota Ultrasonics

24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 2942

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

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28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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Dakota Ultrasonics

30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

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Dakota Ultrasonics

18

8) Press the Probe key The display will flash 1OF2 Repeat steps 3

through 8 on the second calibration point TheMMX-6 will now

display the sound velocity value it has calculated based on the

thickness values that were entered in step 7

9) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements within this

range

Scan Mode

While the MMX-6 excels at making single point measurements it is

sometimes desirable to examine a larger region searching for the thinnest

point The MMX-6 includes a feature called Scan Mode which allows it to

do just that

In normal operation the MMX-6 performs and displays four

measurements every second which is quite adequate for single

measurements In Scan Mode however the gauge performs sixteen

measurements every second and displays the readings while scanning

While the transducer is in contact with the material being measured the

MMX-6 is keeping track of the lowest measurement it finds The

transducer may be scrubbed across a surface and any brief interruptions

in the signal will be ignored When the transducer loses contact with the

surface for more than a second the MMX-6 will display the smallest

measurement it found

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When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

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20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

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However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

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RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

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NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

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24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

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Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

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Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

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28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

19

When the MMX-6 is not in calibration mode press the UP arrow key to

turn Scan Mode on and off A brief message will appear in the display

confirming the operation When the transducer is removed from the

material being scanned the MMX-6 will (after a brief pause) display the

smallest measurement it found

Alarm Mode

The Alarm Mode feature of the MMX-6 allows the user to set an audible

and visual parameter when taking measurements When the Alarm Mode

is on the green LED is illuminated If a measurement falls below a nominal

value set by the user the red LED will illuminate and the beeper will

sound if enabled This improves the speed and efficiency of the inspection

process by eliminating constant viewing of the actual reading displayed

The following pages outline how to enable and set up this feature

Using the Beeper

1) While the unit is off press and hold down the ALRM key

2) Press ONOFF key to power up the unit

3) Release the ALRM key - BEEP ON or BEEP OFF will be displayed

enabling or disabling the beeper

4) Repeat steps 1 through 3 to toggle between BEEP ON or BEEP

OFF

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 2542

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 2842

Dakota Ultrasonics

24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3042

Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

27

blank page

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Dakota Ultrasonics

28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

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30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

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Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

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33

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34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

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892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

20

Alarm Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the ALRM key ALAr OFF or ALAr followed by a thickness

value and flashing IN (or MM) symbol will be displayed - indicating

the alarm mode is enabled

3) Repeat step 2 to toggle between ALAr OFF or ALAr value and

flashing IN MM symbol (On)

4) Assuming ALAr value flashing IN is displayed use the UP and

DOWN arrow keys to scroll to the desired nominal alarm value

5) Press the ALRM key once again to select the nominal value

entered

6) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements using the

Alarm feature

Dual-Multi Mode

Often times users and inspectors in the field are faced with coated

materials such as pipes and tanks Typically inspectors will need to

remove the paint or coating prior to measuring or allow for some fixed

amount of error introduced by the paint or coating thickness and velocity

An A-Scan scope with a special echo-echo mode is generally used in order

to accurately perform measurements through paints and coatings

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 2542

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 2842

Dakota Ultrasonics

24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 2942

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3042

Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3142

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

27

blank page

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Dakota Ultrasonics

28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

29

blank page

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Dakota Ultrasonics

30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

33

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

35

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

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892019 MMX6v110man

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

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892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

21

However In order to inspect for blind wall pitting and internal flaws both

echo-echo (thru-paint coatings) and pulse-echo (locate flaws amp pits)

modes are needed Special high damped dual element transducers are

also a must when performing inspections using both modes without an a-

scan scope for verification A highly damped transducer rings for a much

shorter time allowing the MMX-6 to measure thinner material thicknesses

in echo-echo mode This same transducer is equally effective when used

in pulse-echo mode eliminating the need to use different transducers for

each mode The new MMX-6 gives you all these features in a simple to

use one button toggle digital thickness gauge The following steps outline

the procedure for setting up this feature

Dual-Multi Mode

1) Press ONOFF key to power up the MMX-6

2) Press the DUAL-MULTI key to toggle between E-E (echo-echo)thru-paintcoatings mode and P-E (pulse-echo) flaw and pit mode

3) The MMX-6 is now ready to perform measurements in the current

mode setting

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 2742

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 2842

Dakota Ultrasonics

24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 2942

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3042

Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

27

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

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Dakota Ultrasonics

30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3642

Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3742

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

33

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

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35

blank page

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4242

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

22

RS232 Serial Port

The MMX-6 is equipped with an RS232 serial port Using the

accessory cable (part N-306-0010) the MMX-6 has the ability to connect

to a computer or external storage device The following section outlines

the procedure for connecting the MMX-6 to a computer and how to collect

data using any standard communications program

Connecting To a Computer

1) Connect the accessory cable (part N-306-0010) to the 2 pin jack

located on the bottom of the MMX-6 and the 9 pin connector to a

serial port on the computer

2) Start the communications software that will be used to collect the

measurements (ie Microsoft Windows991522 31 -Terminal or 95 98

Me XP - HyperTerminal)

3) Setup the communications software using the following

parameters Data Bits - 8 Parity - None Stop Bits - 1 Baud

Rate 1200

4) Set the communications software COMM port to the port number

that the MMX-6 is connected

5) After taking a measurement press the SEND key to send the

measurement to the computer The measurement will be displayed

on the computer screen

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 2742

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 2842

Dakota Ultrasonics

24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 2942

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3042

Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3142

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

27

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3242

Dakota Ultrasonics

28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

29

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3642

Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3742

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

33

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3842

Dakota Ultrasonics

34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

35

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4042

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4142

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4242

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

23

NOTE Communications software packages generally have the ability

to capture the screen data to a common text file This text file

containing the measurements can then be imported into any

common spreadsheet program (ie Excel Quattro Pro Lotus123)

for further reporting requirements

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 2942

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3042

Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3142

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

27

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

29

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3442

Dakota Ultrasonics

30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3542

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3642

Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3742

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

33

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3842

Dakota Ultrasonics

34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

35

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4042

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4142

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4242

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 2842

Dakota Ultrasonics

24

TRANSDUCER SELECTION

The MMX-6 is inherently capable of performing measurements on a

wide range of materials from various metals to glass and plastics

Different types of material however will require the use of different

transducers Choosing the correct transducer for a job is critical to being

able to easily perform accurate and reliable measurements The following

paragraphs highlight the important properties of transducers which should

be considered when selecting a transducer for a specific job

Generally speaking the best transducer for a job is one that sendssufficient ultrasonic energy into the material being measured such that a

strong stable echo is received by theMMX-6 Several factors affect the

strength of ultrasound as it travels These are outlined below

bull Initial Signal Strength

The stronger a signal is to begin with the stronger its return echo

will be Initial signal strength is largely a factor of the size of theultrasound emitter in the transducer A large emitting area will send

more energy into the material being measured than a small emitting

area Thus a so-called 12-inch transducer will emit a stronger signal

than a 14-inch transducer

bull Absorption and Scattering

As ultrasound travels through any material it is partly absorbed If

the material through which the sound travels has any grain structure

the sound waves will experience scattering Both of these effects

reduce the strength of the waves and thus theMMX-6 s ability to

detect the returning echo

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 2942

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3042

Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3142

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

27

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3242

Dakota Ultrasonics

28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3342

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

29

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3442

Dakota Ultrasonics

30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3542

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

33

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

35

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4042

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4142

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4242

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

25

Higher frequency ultrasound is absorbed and scattered more than

ultrasound of a lower frequency While it may seem that using a lower

frequency transducer might be better in every instance low frequencies

are less directional than high frequencies Thus a higher frequency

transducer would be a better choice for detecting the exact location of

small pits or flaws in the material being measured

bull Geometry of the Transducer

The physical constraints of the measuring environment sometimes

determine a transducers suitability for a given job Some transducers

may simply be too large to be used in tightly confined areas Also the

surface area available for contacting with the transducer may be limited

requiring the use of a transducer with a small wearface Measuring on

a curved surface such as an engine cylinder wall may require the use

of a transducer with a matching curved wearface

bull Temperature of the Material

When it is necessary to measure on surfaces that are exceedingly

hot high temperature transducers must be used These transducers

are built using special materials and techniques that allow them to

withstand high temperatures without damage Additionally care must

be taken when performing a Probe-Zero or Calibration to Known

Thickness with a high temperature transducer See Appendix B for

more information on measuring materials with a high temperature

transducer

Selection of the proper transducer is often a matter of tradeoffs

between various characteristics It may be necessary to experiment

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3042

Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3142

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

27

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

29

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3542

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3642

Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3742

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

33

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3842

Dakota Ultrasonics

34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

35

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4042

892019 MMX6v110man

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MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4242

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3042

Dakota Ultrasonics

26

with a variety of transducers in order to find one that works well for a

given job Dakota Ultrasonics can provide assistance in choosing a

transducer and offers a broad selection of transducers for evaluation in

specialized applications

bull Through Paint amp Coatings

The MMX-6 has the ability to measure through and eliminate the

thickness of paint or coatings on the surface of metals While this is a

very convenient feature it must be used with the proper transducers in

order to produce favorable results Special high damped alpha style

transducers must be used in order to achieve optimal results Consult

Dakota Ultrasonics directly for assistance in choosing the proper

transducer for use with the Multi-Mode feature

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3142

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

27

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3242

Dakota Ultrasonics

28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3342

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

29

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3442

Dakota Ultrasonics

30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3542

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3642

Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3742

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

33

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3842

Dakota Ultrasonics

34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

35

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4042

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4142

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4242

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3142

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

27

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3242

Dakota Ultrasonics

28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3342

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

29

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3442

Dakota Ultrasonics

30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3542

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3642

Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3742

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

33

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3842

Dakota Ultrasonics

34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3942

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

35

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4042

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4142

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4242

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3242

Dakota Ultrasonics

28

APPENDIX A

Product Specifications

Physical

Weight 10 ounces

Size 25W x 475H x 125D inches

(635W x 1207H x 318D mm)

Operating Temperature -20 to 120 degF (-20 to 50 degC)

Case Extruded aluminum body nickel plated aluminum end

caps

Keypad

Sealed membrane resistant to water and petroleum products

Power Source

Two ldquoAArdquo size 15 volt alkaline or 12 volt NiCad cells 200 hours typical

operating time on alkaline 120 hours on NiCad

Display

Liquid-Crystal-Display 45 digits 0500 inch high numerals LED backlight

Flashing display indicates low battery voltage

Measuring

Range Pulse-Echo mode 0025 to 19999 inches (063 to 500 millimeters)

Echo-Echo mode 0100 to 10 inches (254 to 254 millimeters)

Resolution 0001 inch (001 millimeter) Accuracy plusmn0001 inch (001 millimeter) depends on material

and conditions

Sound Velocity Range 00492 to 03930 inmicros (1250 to 10000ms)

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3342

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

29

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3442

Dakota Ultrasonics

30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3542

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3642

Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3742

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

33

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3842

Dakota Ultrasonics

34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3942

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

35

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4042

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4142

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4242

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3342

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

29

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3442

Dakota Ultrasonics

30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3542

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3642

Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3742

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

33

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3842

Dakota Ultrasonics

34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3942

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

35

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4042

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4142

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4242

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3442

Dakota Ultrasonics

30

APPENDIX B

Application Notes

bull Measuring pipe and tubing

When measuring a piece of pipe to determine the thickness of the pipe

wall orientation of the transducers is important If the diameter of the pipe

is larger than approximately 4 inches measurements should be made with

the transducer oriented so that the gap in the wearface is perpendicular (at

right angle) to the long axis of the pipe For smaller pipe diameters two

measurements should be performed one with the wearface gap

perpendicular another with the gap parallel to the long axis of the pipe

The smaller of the two displayed values should then be taken as the

thickness at that point

Perpendicular Parallel

bull Measuring hot surfaces

The velocity of sound through a substance is dependant upon itstemperature As materials heat up the velocity of sound through them

decreases In most applications with surface temperatures less than about

200degF (100degC) no special procedures must be observed At temperatures

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3642

Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3742

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

33

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3842

Dakota Ultrasonics

34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

35

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4042

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4142

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4242

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3542

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

31

above this point the change in sound velocity of the material being

measured starts to have a noticeable effect upon ultrasonic measurement

At such elevated temperatures it is recommended that the user perform

a calibration procedure (refer to page 13) on a sample piece of known

thickness which is at or near the temperature of the material to be

measured This will allow theMMX-6 to correctly calculate the velocity of

sound through the hot material

When performing measurements on hot surfaces it may also be

necessary to use a specially constructed high-temperature transducer

These transducers are built using materials which can withstand high

temperatures Even so it is recommended that the probe be left in contact

with the surface for as short a time as needed to acquire a stable

measurement While the transducer is in contact with a hot surface it will

begin to heat up and through thermal expansion and other effects may

begin to adversely affect the accuracy of measurements

bull Measuring laminated materials

Laminated materials are unique in that their density (and therefore

sound-velocity) may vary considerably from one piece to another Some

laminated materials may even exhibit noticeable changes in sound-velocity

across a single surface The only way to reliably measure such materials is

by performing a calibration procedure on a sample piece of known

thickness Ideally this sample material should be a part of the same piece

being measured or at least from the same lamination batch By calibrating

to each test piece individually the effects of variation of sound-velocity will

be minimized

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3642

Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3742

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

33

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3842

Dakota Ultrasonics

34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

35

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4042

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4142

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4242

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3642

Dakota Ultrasonics

32

An additional important consideration when measuring laminates is that

any included air gaps or pockets will cause an early reflection of the

ultrasound beam This effect will be noticed as a sudden decrease in

thickness in an otherwise regular surface While this may impede accurate

measurement of total material thickness it does provide the user with

positive indication of air gaps in the laminate

bull Measuring Through Paint amp Coatings

Measuring through paints and coatings are also unique in that the

velocity of the paint coating will be significantly different from the actual

material being measured A perfect example of this would be a mild

steel pipe with approximately 025rdquo of coating on the surface Where the

velocity of the pipe is 2330 inmicrosec and the velocity of the paint is 0900

inmicrosec If the user is calibrated for mild steel pipe and measures

through both materials the actual coating thickness will appear to be 25

times thicker than it actually is as a result of the differences in velocity

This error can be eliminated by using a special echo-echo mode to

perform measurements for applications such as these In echo-echo

mode the paint coating thickness will be eliminated entirely and the

steel will be the only material measured

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3742

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

33

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3842

Dakota Ultrasonics

34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

35

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4042

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4142

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4242

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3742

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

33

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

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Dakota Ultrasonics

34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

892019 MMX6v110man

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MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

35

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4042

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4142

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4242

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3842

Dakota Ultrasonics

34

APPENDIX C

Sound Velocities of some Common Materials

M a t e r i a l sound v e loc i t yin us m s

A l u m i n u m 0 25 0 6 3 5 0

B i sm u t h 0 08 6 2 1 8 4B r a s s 0 17 3 4 3 9 4

C a d m i u m 0 10 9 2 7 6 9C a s t I r o n 0 18 0 (apprx ) 4 5 7 2

C o n s t a n t a n 0 20 6 5 2 3 2

C o p p e r 0 18 4 4 6 7 4

Epoxy res in 0 10 0 (apprx ) 2 5 4 0G e r m a n s i l v e r 0 18 7 4 7 5 0G l as s c r o wn 0 22 3 5 6 6 4

G lass f l in t 0 16 8 4 2 6 7G o l d 0 12 8 3 2 5 1

Ice 0 15 7 3 9 8 8I ron 0 23 2 5 8 9 3

L e a d 0 08 5 2 1 5 9M a g n e s i u m 0 22 8 5 7 9 1

M er cu r y 0 05 7 1 4 4 8

N i c k e l 0 22 2 5 6 3 9

Ny l on 0 10 2 (apprx ) 2 5 9 1Paraf f in 0 08 7 2 2 1 0P l a t i n um 0 15 6 3 9 6 2

P lex ig lass 0 10 6 2 6 9 2P o l y s t y r e ne 0 09 2 2 3 3 7

Porc e l a i n 0 23 0 (apprx ) 5 8 4 2P V C 0 09 4 2 3 8 8

Q u ar t z g l as s 0 22 2 5 6 3 9R ub be r vu l c a n i z ed 0 09 1 2 3 1 1

S i l v e r 0 14 2 3 6 0 7

S t e e l c o m m o n 0 23 3 5 9 1 8

S t ee l s t a i n l es s 0 22 3 5 6 6 4Stel l i te 0 27 5 (apprx ) 6 9 8 5T e f l o n 0 05 6 1 4 2 2

T in 0 13 1 3 3 2 7T i t an i u m 0 24 0 6 0 9 6

T u n g s t e n 0 21 0 5 3 3 4Z i nc 0 16 6 4 2 1 6

W a te r 0 05 8 1 4 7 3

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3942

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

35

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

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892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4142

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4242

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 3942

MMX-6 Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

35

blank page

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4042

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4142

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4242

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4042

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4142

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4242

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4142

MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETNA = not appl icable or not available (To comply with 29 CFR 19101200)

SECTION 1 ndash PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION

Product Name SOUNDSAFEregGeneric Name Ultrasonic CouplantManufacturer Sonotech Inc

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225 (360) 671-9121

NFPA Hazardous MaterialsIdentification System (est)Healthhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

Flammabilityhelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0Reactivityhelliphelliphelliphelliphelliphellip0

SECTION 2 ndash HAZARDOUS INGREDIENTS

This material does not contain any ingredients havingknown health hazards in concentrations greater than 1

This material does not contain any known or suspectedcarcinogens

SECTION 3 ndash PHYSICAL DATA

(nominal)

Boiling Point gt220degF pH 735 ndash 79

Freezing Point lt20degF Acoustic Imp 1726x106

Vapor Pressure NA Vapor Density NAEvaporation Rate NA Specific Gravity gt102Solubility in Water complete

Appearance and Odor water white opaque gel bland odor

SECTION 4 ndash FIRE AND EXPLOSIONHAZARD DATA

Flash Point none

Upper Exposure Limit noneLower Exposure Limit noneSpecial Fire Fighting Procedures NA

Extinguishing media NAUnusual Fire and Explosion Hazards none

SECTION 5 ndash REACTIVITY DATA

Stability Stable

Conditions to Avoid noneIncompatibili ty (Materials to Avoid) none knownHazardous Polymerization will not occur

Hazardous Decomposition or Byproducts none known

SECTION 6 ndash HEALTH HAZARD AND FIRST AID DATA

Routes of Entry1

Skin not likely Ingestion not normallyEyes not normally Inhalation no

Effects of Overexposure Acute May cause temporaryeye irritation

Chronic none expected

First Aid ProceduresSkin Remove with water if desiredEyes Flush with water for 15 minutes

Ingestion For large quantities induce vomiting andcall a physician

Inhalation NA

SECTION 7 ndash STORAGE AND HANDLINGINFORMATION

Precautions to be taken in handling and storage Store

between 20degF and 120degF Spills are slippery and should

be cleaned up immediatelySteps to be taken in case material is released or spilled

Pick up excess for disposal Clean with waterWaste disposal method Dispose of in accordance withfederal state and local regulations

SECTION 8 ndash CONTROL MEASURES

Respiratory Protection not required

Ventilation not required

Protective Gloves on individuals demonstratingsensitivity to SOUNDSAFEreg

Eye Protection as required by working conditionsOther Protective Equipment not required

1SOUNDSAFEreg contains only food grade and cosmetic grade ingredients

Toll Free 1-800-458-4254

SONOTECH INC

774 Marine Dr Bellingham WA 98225Telephone (360) 671-9121 Fax (360) 671-9024

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4242

892019 MMX6v110man

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullmmx6v110man 4242